Eco-Friendly Leather Finds Its Home Inside Super-Luxury Electric SUV

Mercedes has a new approach to leather. The company's super-luxury Maybach arm introduced the first vegetable-tanned Nappa leather to the Mercedes-Benz AG lineup in the new EQS SUV as part of the company's overarching sustainability goals, and redefined what it means to have leather that is sustainably acquired.

Mercedes-Benz aims to halve carbon dioxide emissions per passenger car in the new vehicle fleet over the model's entire lifecycle by 2030, from 2020 levels. From 2039, it aims to have all new car and van vehicles be carbon-neutral over their entire lifecycle throughout the value chain. This new leather technique is part of that plan.

The leather tanning process traditionally uses chromium salts. The National Institutes of Health call pollution from chromium a, "significant environmental threat, severely impacting our environment and natural resources, especially water and soil".

Mercedes-Maybach is using a number of biological, non-toxic tanning agents to achieve the premium look and feel of its Nappa leather. In fact, only chrome-free processes are allowed.

Coffee bean shells are among the components used to tan the leather in environmentally-friendly ways, and one significant part of the new eco-friendly process. This also allows coffee farmers to have a dual-income stream from one product.

Water used for tanning during the process is conducted in a closed circuit, allowing it to flow back into natural bodies of water after recycling. When untreated water is left to flow into the natural water supply from tanneries, phenolics, tannins and chromium salts pollute the earth and cause environmental risks to aquatic and human life.

Fat liquoring agents, used to help leather maintain its softness and supple qualities, are plant-based rather than originating from petroleum, in this new tanning process. This part of the production replaces the natural fats that are part of animal hide.

The reduction of the use of salt during the tanning process is a key part of Mercedes' go-green approach to leather production sustainability. The new procedures for tanning leather do not have the hides being preserved in salt, which saves about 99 pounds of salt per vehicle that comes equipped with leather seats.

The sustainability goals of tanning filter downstream in the lifecycle loop. Up-cycled products, including compostable flowerpots, foam insulation and decking boards, can be created by tanning by-products.

Leather that is put in Mercedes-Maybach vehicles must pass a rigorous sustainability audit. Mercedes requires suppliers to disclose their entire supply chain from the farm region to the end product.

Hides and tanning components must be procured from a supplier that does not utilize illegal deforestation or contribute to the endangerment or loss of natural forests. Skins may only come from animals that are from controlled farms where animals are kept under species-appropriate conditions, free from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, disease, fear and stress. The animals must also be able to express normal behaviors, the automaker told Newsweek.

In addition to leather, Mercedes-Maybach has infused its new EQS SUV with resource-saving materials. This includes the carpet, which is made of Econyl, a nylon yarn that is made from recycled fishing nets and carpets. Secondary steel and recycled aluminum are also part of the car's finery.

Mercedes-Benz isn't the only company exploring chrome-free tanning and resource-saving materials. Its German competitors, BMW and Audi, have been doing it as well. Volvo, Polestar, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis are also going big on carbon neutrality, making strategic investments and utilizing eco-friendly materials in their models.