Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp.
Together with Revoltech, VW said its pre-development team is working on a material as a substitute for imitation leather. The material, made from industrial hemp cultivated for the food industry, is an all-natural, 100 per cent biological single-layer surface material called LOVRTM (Leather-free, Oil-free, Vegan and Residue-based) that is being developed specifically with the automotive industry in mind.
The hemp fibres and a fully bio-based adhesive are combined and processed to become a surface material. The material is fully recyclable or compostable once it has reached the end of its service life and it is, said VW, produced from residues of the hemp industry that have no further use. Possible use in vehicle projects from 2028 is envisaged.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2024)
2 October 2024