BMW Group Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainability Becoming The World's Second Car Company to Join the Leather Working Group

BMW Group Has recently joined the Leather Working Group for Ethical and Sustainable Leather Procurement and this underlines the German luxury car company's genuine commitment to sustainability.

The non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization's mission is to achieve global consistency in environmental and social standards for leather supply chains and to certify producers. The Leather Working Group represents around a fifth of the world's leather manufacturers – from tanneries to leather processing businesses and organisations, as well as merchants and purchasers.

"As a pioneer in supply chain sustainability, we believe that joining the Leather Working Group is a natural next step," says Nadine Philipp, BMW Group's head of Sustainability in the Supply Chain, Energy. 

"Leather is still in demand from our clients – depending on the model and area – and is critical in the luxury sector," she said. That is why we make it a point to encourage sustainable leather manufacturing and processing at our suppliers. At the same time, we want all of our clients globally to have the option of the best product, which is why we provide leather-free car equipment alternatives."

Joining the Leather Working Group is closely related to the BMW Group's business strategy, which places a premium on sustainability and resource efficiency. Creating the most sustainable supply chain possible across the whole automotive sector is one of the BMW Group's priorities. Sourcing leather from approved factories is a critical step toward accomplishing this lofty aim.

Apart from leather sourced from reputable sources, BMW Group also provides various interior materials.

All leather in the BMW iX is already sourced from a recognised manufacturer. The natural leather is tanned using an eco-friendly procedure that utilises olive leaf extract. The BMW Group currently provides alternatives to leather, such as textiles, Alcantara®, and Sensatec. Additionally, the business is investigating resource-efficient leather substitutes, such as Deserttex®, which is manufactured from cactus fibres, and Mirum®, a durable and entirely recyclable plant-based material developed by the startup Natural Fiber Welding, in which BMW I Ventures purchased a share in 2021.