Bentley Tans Differently: Sustainably Sourcing Leather

Leather.

It’s an iconic, luxury material, signature to the swish of the noir drama trench coat and the sumptuous interior of many a beloved classic car.

It’s also a growing concern for automotive manufacturers, who are seeking to become more sustainable and manufacture cars that are cruelty-free.

Because the reality is that leather, from the start of the manufacturing process to the finished product, is defined by sustainability challenges.

Leather: a sustainability problem

The sustainability challenges involved with leather begin long before the factory. Raising animals for leather requires huge amounts of feed, pastureland, water and fossil fields. 

Animals on factory farms, according to PETA, create 130 times as much excrement as the entire human population, without the benefit of waste treatment plants.

Livestock pollution is a leading contributor to CO₂ emissions and contamination of local waterways. 

Then we turn to tanning, a vital process to stop leather from biodegrading. 

Turning skin into leather necessitates colossal amounts of energy and hazardous chemicals, including coal-tar derivatives, mineral salts and various oils, dyes and finishes. 

The waste caused by the tannery process also contains huge amounts of pollutants including salt, lime sludge and sulphides. 

In truth, behind this stylish and comfortable material is a significant sustainability conundrum.

Automotive manufacturers need materials that perform like leather without the cost to the planet. 

Many point to biodegradable, plant-based materials as the saviour of this dilemma.

Many automotive manufacturers like Mercedes, have been experimenting. 

The interior of the manufacturer’s Vision EQXX electric concept car for example is made from materials sourced from nopal cactus and fungal mycelium, 

While the promise of these materials is exciting, they require further development, investment and popularisation before they become viable, scalable industry alternatives. 

As of now, leather remains the dominant material automotive manufacturers rely on for their interiors and upholstery.

But not all leather has the same impact. 

There are sustainable, ethical methods of sourcing leather. And then…there is the inverse.

A fact that leading luxury automotive manufacturer Bentley clearly understands. 

Bentley: Sourcing leather responsibly

Bentley Motors, the oh-so British and oh-so iconic automotive manufacturer has a longstanding commitment to sustainability. 

Announced in 2020, Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy has worked to fundamentally reinvent the business, cementing the manufacturer as a leader in sustainable mobility.

Core to the strategy is Bentley’s aim to be end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030 and have its Crewe operations climate-positive moving forward.

The company has also pledged to move towards an entire EV model range by 2030. 

Bentley has also concentrated this focus on sustainability towards its use of leather.

In 2021, Bentley was the first automotive member of the Leather Working Group, which promotes environmental compliance and responsible business practices within the leather industry. 

Bentley as part of this partnership introduced the first, sustainable leather option for customers.

Olive Mill Wastewater tanned leather is produced using an organic by-product of the olive oil industry, meaning the tanning process is free from harmful minerals, heavy metals and aldehydes. 

“Leather is a timeless, luxury material that has always epitomised the elegance, durability and quality of a hand-crafted Bentley interior,” Marc Stang, Technical Expert, Leather and Colour Development at Bentley Motors says. 

“It has a rich history that dates back decades in our cars and has always stood the test of time. 

“The application of the latest sustainable leathers allows an even wider variety of choice for our customers and further supports our industry-leading Beyond100 strategy.”

A sustainable process with a pretty stylish result. 

This year, Bentley has made another big commitment to sustainable leather, by becoming the first automotive member of Leather Naturally, the global voice of the sustainable leather industry. 

Leather Naturally is an international, Non-Governmental Organisation that promotes the use of certified, fairly sourced leather as a natural by-product of responsible circular economic practices. 

“Leather Naturally is delighted to welcome Bentley as a member,” says Debbie Burton, Chair of Leather Naturally.

“As a brand synonymous with both luxury and leather, this partnership underlines its commitment to furthering sustainability and ongoing improvement through its Beyond 100 vision.”

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