Accelerating the abandonment of genuine leather: Why Are Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, BMW, and Others Collectively Turning to New Materials?

Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, BMW, NIO, and other high-end car manufacturers are heavily investing in new materials to cut ties with carbon-intensive leather.

The seats of the Mercedes concept car AMG GT XX are made of a Nappa-like synthetic leather by Modern Meadow, a biotechnology company based in Brooklyn, New York. Image credit: Trellis Group / Julia Vann.

In the past, fine and smooth genuine leather interiors were an unspoken symbol of luxury vehicles. When consumers sat in the cockpit and their fingertips brushed over the seat textures, it was the most direct experience of a "sense of luxury." However, in recent years, this tangible luxury has been quietly disappearing.

In fact, no matter how much genuine leather is loved, it is a byproduct of the meat industry, which is one of the most carbon-polluting industries on Earth.

Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, BMW, NIO, and other high-end car manufacturers are now heavily investing in new materials to sever ties with leather and drive an environmental revolution. This article will explore how they are redefining the future of luxury interiors through innovative solutions such as bio-based synthetics and mycelium materials.

Industry Pioneers: Who is Driving Leather Alternatives?​

In recent years, automotive companies such as Volvo, General Motors, and BMW have actively invested in the research and development of new materials to replace carbon-intensive leather.

Mercedes- The latest addition to the brand, in June this year, it collaborated with startup Modern Meadow to develop seat materials for the AMG GT XX concept car. This biomaterial, named Innovera, is based on plant proteins and biopolymers, combined with regenerated rubber. It not only offers the same design freedom as traditional leather but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint. According to Modern Meadow's early life cycle analysis, Innovera's carbon dioxide footprint is approximately 7 kilograms per square meter, only about one-third of the estimated value for cowhide.

Source of the image: Mercedes-Benz

2026 Cherokee modelJeep CherokeeThe new model is larger and more luxurious than the old one, but one key upgrade hasn't kept up—all series have abandoned genuine leather interiors. Even the top-end Overland version (priced at $44,595, approximately 324,000 RMB) has seats replaced with "Capri synthetic leather" (commonly known as "faux leather"). Jeep has made it clear that this is to promote their "environmental strategy."

VolvoIn terms of environmentally friendly materials, it has always been a leader. Four years ago, this Swedish company announced that its new seat material, Nordico, would achieve the goal of having 1/4 of new cars using recycled or bio-based materials by 2025. By 2030, Nordico may play a significant role in Volvo's goal of 100% leather-free and electric vehicles. The material uses recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, and Nordico also uses recycled wine corks and "bio-attributed" materials from Nordic forests.

General MotorsCadillac is pursuing neither animal-derived leather nor petrochemical-derived leather. In 2022, General Motors invested in MycoWorks, the world's largest mycelium production facility. In January 2024, California-based biotechnology innovation company MycoWorks announced that its first commercial-scale plant successfully produced over a thousand sheets of Fine Mycelium™ mycelium material. According to the information, General Motors used MycoWorks' Fine Mycelium technology in the Cadillac Sollei EV concept car.

Image: The world's largest mycelium production facility, MycoWorks (Image source: Sohu)

In recent years, The seat material of multiple car models has been changed from genuine leather to synthetic leather. For instance, the synthetic material Sensafin is currently equipped in large SUV models such as the X5, X6, and X7. It represents the high level of BMW's synthetic material technology, with a refinement and luxury that even surpasses many traditional genuine leathers.

Synthetic leather Sensafin (applicable models: X5, X6, X7) Image source: BMW fans

To create a comfortable and pleasant experience while protecting the environment,NIO Inc.Launched the Clean+ collection of environmentally friendly in-car materials. The initial intention is to explore the latest technologies with partners to use lower-carbon, recyclable materials in the car. The Clean+ series materials have improved the production and processing technology of existing materials. Examples include coffee bean tanned Nappa leather, bio-based Haptex® synthetic leather, and bio-based microfiber suede. The Clean+ series also includes exploration of new materials. For example, sustainably developed and utilized renewable rattan, Clean+ environmentally friendly fabrics made from 100% recyclable PET, and Clean+ polymer materials made from natural minerals and natural plant fibers.

NIO uses various bio-based eco-friendly materials in its high-end model EC7 (Image source: China-Europe SENIA).

2026 modelInfinitiMost versions of the QX60 have their seats replaced with "TailorFit Eco Fabric," 65% of which is made from recycled materials.

Range Rover EvoqueThe seats use eucalyptus blended fabric. The fibers from this tree provide an alternative to cotton, and like bamboo, its rapid growth rate makes it easier to sustainably manage plantations. The "eucalyptus blend" is lightweight and durable, and it is just a part of the 32 kilograms of natural and recycled materials embedded in the Aurora. Another material is Kvadrat, a mix of wool, suede, and recycled plastic bottles, which is also used in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and a range of Bang & Olufsen audio systems.

For other companies, the alternative to genuine leather might be recycled leather. Together with Coach's parent company Tapestry and Dr Martens.Jaguar Land RoverIn 2023, the venture capital division invested $18 million in the startup Gen Phoenix, which upgrades and recycles tannery waste.

Genuine Leather VSSynthetic Leather: A Deep Competition Between Performance and Environmental Impact​

The choice of automotive interior materials is no longer just about luxury but a balance between environmental friendliness and performance.

According to Grand View Research, the automotive leather market is valued at $37 billion and is expected to increase to $68.4 billion by 2033. However, this comes at a significant environmental cost: livestock farming accounts for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while farming and slaughtering contribute 68% to the carbon footprint of raw hides, simultaneously destroying rainforests and grasslands.

In contrast, according to research by DataDynamics, the synthetic leather market is valued at $12.5 billion and is expected to reach $20.8 billion by 2033.

Genuine leather is known for its durability, texture, and biodegradability, but synthetic leather is catching up in terms of environmental friendliness and technological innovation.

BMW's large SUV models such as the X5, X6, and X7 use the synthetic material Sensafin, which differs from conventional synthetic leather by incorporating ultra-synthetic fibers, making the seats softer and more comfortable. It also features a unique diamond pattern design and contrasting stitching techniques, which were originally only used in top-grade leather decorative elements. Since the breathability of synthetic leather is somewhat inferior, Sensafin also employs perforation technology. Its micro-pore structure has been optimized through fluid dynamics, significantly enhancing air circulation compared to traditional synthetic leather, ensuring that long periods of sitting do not cause a stuffy feeling.

Similarly, Modern Meadow's Innovera rivals genuine leather in durability and tear resistance, while having a lower carbon footprint.

Challenges of Scaling and Future Prospects

Despite the thriving innovation, the transition to animal-free and plastic-free seating is not straightforward.

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX once used mycelium Mylo and cactus-based Deserttex® to achieve a balance between luxury and sustainability, but Bolt Threads (the producer of Mylo) ceased production a year later, shifting towards vegan "silk."

The image shows the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX using the mycelium-based Mylo "leather" material in 2022. Image source: Aibang

Similarly, Natural Fiber Welding (supported by BMW iVentures) experienced layoffs with its Mirum material, which is brewed from plants.

Tiffany Hua, an analyst at Lux Research, pointed out that this reflects the difficulty of moving from pilot innovation to commercial-scale production—technological maturity, cost control, and supply chain stability are key obstacles.

However, the industry's ambition remains undiminished. BMW has committed to reducing emissions per vehicle by 80% by 2030, while Mercedes-Benz is exploring the use of materials with increased cactus content...

Overall, the shift of automakers towards sustainable materials is an irreversible trend. It is not only an environmental responsibility but also an innovation in the definition of luxury. Although challenges in scaling up still exist, investment and innovation are accelerating this process. In the future, as bio-based technologies mature and the circular economy advances, leather alternatives will transition from a "green choice" to an "industry standard."

Edited by: Lily

Sources: Trellis, Aibang Polymer, New Energy Vehicle Enthusiasts, CEIBS SENIA, Solid-State Battery New Materials, etc.