Volkswagen has partnered with a hemp company to develop a sustainable material made from hemp fibers as a replacement for faux leather.
Germany’s auto giant announced last week a partnership with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH to research and develop sustainable materials made from industrial hemp.
Volkswagen mentioned that a material derived from hemp fibers could serve as a sustainable surface option in their models starting in 2028.
This 100% bio-based hemp material uses by-products from the local hemp industry, is compatible with current industrial manufacturing processes, and can be either recycled or composted once it has reached the end of its use in a vehicle.
The announcement highlights hemp’s versatility across various industries, including automotive. Its high cellulose content enables the production of strong, lightweight composites, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional automotive materials. In 1941, Ford demonstrated hemp’s potential with a material made of 70% cellulose fiber and 30% resin binder, with 10% of the fiber content derived from hemp. Today, leading automotive brands use hemp in their vehicles to reduce weight and lower their carbon footprint.
The initial presentations of the innovative material have received highly positive feedback from customers., Volkswagen’s press release says.
Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen’s Brand Board Member for Technical Development, said the company welcomes new ideas from various industries. Andreas Walingen, Head of Strategy at Volkswagen, highlighted the company’s aim to integrate customer desires, sustainability goals, and corporate interests. Meanwhile, Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO and co-founder of Revoltech GmbH, described their innovative surface material as both scalable and revolutionary for sustainability in the automotive sector.
By Dario Sabaghi
Read the article: Volkswagen Bets On Hemp To Replace Faux Leather In Car Interiors
