January 27, 2022: Underlining its sustainability goals, the BMW Group has become the second automotive manufacturer worldwide to join the Leather Working Group. The aim of the not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization is to ensure uniform environmental and social standards for leather supply chains worldwide and to certify manufacturers. The Leather Working Group represents about a quarter of the world’s leather producers – from tanneries to leather-processing industries and associations to retailers and buyers.
Nadine Philipp, BMW Group’s head of Sustainability in the Supply Chain, Energy, said, “Leather is still in demand from our customers – depending on the model and region – and is very important in the premium segment. That is why supporting sustainable production and processing of leather at our suppliers is a priority for us. At the same time, we still want all our customers worldwide to be able to choose the optimal product, so we also offer leather-free vehicle equipment options.”
The BMW Group already sources all leather in the BMW iX from a certified manufacturer. The natural leather used is tanned in an especially environmentally-friendly process that relies on olive leaf extract. The BMW Group already offers leather-free alternatives, including textile options, Alcantara and SensaTec. The company is also conducting research into resource-efficient leather alternatives, such as Deserttex, which is made from cactus fibers, and the durable and fully recyclable plant-based Mirum, from the startup Natural Fiber Welding, in which BMW i Ventures acquired a stake in 2021.
