Bentley's Revolutionary Organic Leather Unveiled in Latest Vehicle

author: FutureCar Staff    

Bentley is taking steps to make its iconic quilted interiors more sustainable by developing a fully organic leather for its cabins. As part of its "Beyond 100" plan, the British automaker is committed to becoming more eco-friendly. The new eco-friendly material will make its debut in a Bentley model at Monterey Car Week in California on August 18.

Bentley already uses highly traceable leather hides that are sourced from the European Union and are a by-product of the meat industry. This helps prevent the hides from ending up in landfills. The company also ensures that the hides it uses are not linked to deforestation, highlighting its efforts to promote greener processes within its supply chain.

The new Olive Tan leather is the first to undergo a sustainable tanning process that utilizes an organic by-product of the olive oil industry. The tanning agent is derived from wastewater extracted during olive pressing. This process results in a higher concentration of renewable chemicals and eliminates harmful metals, minerals, and aldehydes. The end result is an incredibly soft and organic leather.

According to Marc Stang, a technical expert in leather at Bentley, leather is a crucial component of the brand's car interiors and plays a significant role in creating Bentley's signature finish. Stang also emphasizes the importance of durability, as 84 percent of all Bentley cars built are still on UK roads.

Bentley is proud to be the first automaker in the industry to utilize the Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) technology from Italian leather tannery Pasubio SpA. The company plans to offer the new OMW-derived leather across its entire product range.

Bentley has been making significant strides in sustainability since announcing its Beyond 100 strategy in November 2020. The automaker has committed $3.4 billion over the next decade to electrify its lineup and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. This latest innovation demonstrates that Bentley can achieve its green goals without compromising on style.

Monterey Car Week will conclude this Sunday, and Robb Report will provide a recap of the event. Stay tuned for more updates.

FutureCar Staff