Volkswagen has entered into a cooperation with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH, from Darmstadt.
Together with Revoltech GmbH, the predevelopment team at the Volkswagen brand is working on a material innovation as a substitute for imitation leather. This material, made from what is known as industrial hemp, cultivated for the food industry. It is an all-natural, 100 percent 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 fibers and a fully bio-based adhesive are combined using a special technology and processed to become a surface material. This truly circular material is sourced from regional hemp fields and is fully recyclable or compostable once it has reached the end of its service life. It is produced from residues of the hemp industry that have no further use. Also, it can be manufactured in existing industrial plants, thus enabling swift scalability – and is therefore also suitable for use in large-scale production.
Volkswagen’s Materials Technology, Design, and Components Development departments, Volkswagen Group Innovation and Revoltech are bundling know-how to include as many perspectives as possible in the development work. Potential applications are being identified in collaboration with Components Development. Possible use in vehicle projects from 2028 is envisaged and the material has received very positive feedback in customer surveys.