A US company, the New Jersey-based Modern Meadow, has entered into a development partnership with Mercedes-Benz to develop materials for the Concept AMG GT XX racing car using Innovera, its bio-designed alternative leather.

The aim is to further develop Innovera for series production and set new standards in vehicle interiors. Innovera consists of a combination of chemically recycled AMG GT3 racing car tyres, plant-based proteins and bio-polymers.

One scrap tyre provides the basis for approximately 4 square metres of the new, bio-designed material. The recycling process is conducted in accordance with the mass balance approach.

Innovera requires no special preservation or storage conditions, which reduces complexity and costs, and is adaptable to any standard manufacturing process.

Completely animal-free, Innovera is masterfully engineered to replicate the look and feel of the collagen found in leather, ready to resonate through every design interpretation. It is crafted using plant-based proteins, bio-polymers and recycled rubber, resulting in over 80% renewable carbon content.

The leather alternative is breathable and waterproof, as well as lighter than traditional materials. Its maximum tensile strength is also twice as high as that of traditional materials, making it very robust and high performing.

Because it replicates the key properties of the collagens found in leather, the material offers a level of design freedom equivalent to that of traditional leather and can be produced with different finishes such as nubuck, full grain or suede, and in various colours and haptics.

Modern Meadow’s commercial production capabilities make Innovera readily available to customers and simplifies supply chain issues across the furniture, automotive, fashion, footwear and accessories industries. For more information, look up www.innovera-world.com.

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