US-based sustainable materials producer Modern Meadow has entered into a development partnership with Mercedes-Benz. As part of the collaboration, the latter has used Modern Meadow’s INNOVERA™ material to develop an animal-free leather alternative for its technology program, the CONCEPT AMG GT XX.
The material contains chemically recycled AMG GT3 racing car tires, plant-based proteins, and biopolymers. It is said to replicate key properties of the collagens found in traditional leather, meaning it offers similar levels of design freedom. The leather alternative can be made with different finishes such as nubuck, full grain, or suede; a variety of colors and haptics can also be produced.
The CONCEPT AMG GT XX program is designed to provide insights into an upcoming series-production sports car from Mercedes-AMG. In the vehicle, one scrap tyre reportedly provides the basis for around four square meters of the leather alternative. The bucket seats feature black seat pads covered with a Nappa-look variant of the material.
According to Modern Meadow, the animal-free leather is both breathable and waterproof; it is also said to be lighter than traditional materials, with twice the tensile strength. The aim of the partnership is to further develop the material for series production.
“Redefining automotive interior possibilities”
Modern Meadow recently announced that INNOVERA™ would be its primary material going forward. The leather alternative is said to achieve more than 80% renewable carbon content, and does not require special preservation or storage conditions. This reduces complexity and costs.
Furthermore, the material can reportedly be adapted to any standard manufacturing process. Modern Meadow has commercial production capabilities, and INNOVERA™ is available to customers across the furniture, automotive, fashion, footwear, and accessories industries.
“At Modern Meadow, we are redefining automotive interior possibilities with INNOVERA™, our next-generation transformative material that brings beauty, performance, and sustainability into perfect balance,” said CEO David Williamson, PhD. “In our development partnership with Mercedes-Benz, we have used INNOVERA™ to create a new luxury leather alternative without sacrificing aesthetics, versatility, and texture. It looks and feels as good as it performs.”
