Volkswagen Partners with Start-Up Revoltech to Develop Sustainable Automotive Material

Volkswagen has announced a new partnership with Revoltech GmbH, a German start-up based in Darmstadt, with the aim of creating innovative and sustainable materials for the automotive industry. This collaboration is focused on developing a 100-percent bio-based leather alternative derived from industrial hemp, which could begin to appear in Volkswagen car interiors as early as 2028.

“In our search for new materials, we are very open to new ideas from many different industries. At Technical Development, we place a strong focus on innovative, creative and sustainable solutions for holistic, resource-saving vehicle development.”

Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development

A Breakthrough in Sustainable Automotive Materials

The core of this partnership is the creation of a new material called LOVR™, which stands for leather-free, oil-free, vegan, and residue-based. This material is produced entirely from industrial hemp, a plant primarily cultivated for the food industry. The process involves using hemp fibres combined with a fully bio-based adhesive, forming a natural, single-layer surface material that is both recyclable and compostable. Notably, LOVR™ can be manufactured using existing industrial equipment, making it feasible for large-scale production.

“The sustainable use of resources is a key pillar in our ACCELERATE strategy and is therefore firmly anchored in our mindset and our actions. Our clear goal is to fuse customer wishes, sustainability requirements and corporate interests.” He added that the cooperation between Revoltech and Volkswagen was a good example of the benefits for start-ups and established companies to be gained from the targeted combination of their respective strengths – with the goal of getting new features ready for use in automobiles as swiftly as possible.”

Andreas Walingen, Head of Strategy at the Volkswagen brand

Environmental and Industrial Benefits

The hemp used in LOVR™ is sourced from regional fields, and the material itself is created from residues of the hemp industry that would otherwise go to waste. This ensures that the product is not only sustainable but also contributes to a circular economy by being fully recyclable or compostable at the end of its lifecycle. Additionally, because the production process can utilise existing industrial plants, the material can be quickly scaled up for mass production, aligning with Volkswagen’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.

“Our innovative LOVR™ surface material, that we are developing and testing for the automotive industry in cooperation with Volkswagen, is scalable and groundbreaking for sustainability in the automotive sector.”

Lucas Fuhrmann, CEO and co-founder Revoltech GmbH

Positive Reception and Future Applications

Volkswagen’s Materials Technology, Design, and Components Development departments are working closely with Revoltech GmbH to explore the potential applications of this new material within the automotive sector. Customer feedback on the initial presentations of LOVR™ has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating strong support for sustainable alternatives in car interiors.

The collaboration also involves Volkswagen Group Innovation, ensuring that a broad range of expertise and perspectives contribute to the development process. The goal is to have this sustainable material ready for use in Volkswagen vehicles starting in 2028, marking a significant step towards more environmentally friendly automotive production.