Volkswagen teases new hemp-derived leather alternative for next-gen car interiors

Vegan leather has become a major trend in consumer tech of all types as a potentially robust alternative to traditional materials. Volkswagen has gone even further along these lines with unique materials developed specifically for the ID. Buzz interior; now, it has gone even further with a new leather alternative made of unexpectedly plant-based materials.

The start-up Revoltech claims to have developed a "special technology" capable of combining a "100% bio-based" adhesive with by-products of the global hemp industry to synthesize a new single-layer covering for car interiors.

Accordingly, the material known as LOVR (leather-free, oil-free, vegan and residue-based) is touted as having a completely circular life-cycle based on renewable and sustainable raw materials.

It is similar to leather in terms of appearance and visual texture, and has reportedly encountered positive feedback in Volkswagen's focus groups to date.

Accordingly, the material might go well with successors to cars such as the ID.3, ID.4 or perhaps more premium ID.7 in the near future.