As I get older, I am amazed how many new ways this trade changes. This seems to be a wonderful alternative to real leather.

I completely agree @Fred Mattson. The industry is changing by such leaps and bounds that it's become difficult to keep up with all the innovation.

Last year we were debating genuine leather vs faux leather. Now this company steps in to say the debate will soon be irrelevant because we can grow leather in a lab. Mind blowing!

Sounds promising but real leather is also a by-product of the beef industry so there will always be natural hides ready to be turned into leather, so long as humans consume meat and that ain't changing anytime soon

Some modern leather seems to be treated so much some of it seems to be close to a vinyl product anyways.

Hi Everyone

@nadeem the industry is currently evolving on a global level. The materials developed out of the biotechnology sector has allowed a fusion of natural and synthetic materials. More importantly genuine leather will see a decline and then an uptake into the core markets of restoration and it will become more expensive and exclusive reclaiming its position as the most sustainable and recyclable material on the planet. Due to population explosion globally and consumer segmentation synthetic materials and fusion materials will become more prevalent in vehicles like Tesla, Ford, Nissan, BYD and many others.

The sustainability drive is picking up hence more vehicles in the LSM of 1 to 5 will carry PU, PVC, Vegan Leather, Fabric options and other substrates or fusion materials created in laboratories fusing it with the waste of tanneries or the shavings.

LSM 5 to 10 will carry genuine leather.
More expensive vehicles like Bugatti, Lamborghini, Ferrari will have a combination interior option for the client where they can choose the vegan or genuine leather option at a cost.

What i can also tell you because the auto interiors going to drive the consumption globally and the coming of the self-driving and EV is that medical devices are now being incorporated into the interiors.
I know this as i serve as Head of Marketing Medical Device Manufacturers of South Africa.

We see this with neuralink and the linking of smart clothes shoes house and the eco system. The USA China Japan, Germany, Italy Canada Russia Turkey Saudi Arabia Vietnam, India , UK.

What i can tell you is that these materials will enter aviation, railway, marine, furniture, fashion as sustainable options based on 100% recyclability like leather but will never replace nor supersceed it.

In the coming of EV oil will play a very important part in the lubrication of motors which allow for long term sustainable use. While the recyclability of the EV of which the vehicle is now 100% recyclable

I can also advise to read the following https://germanautopreneur.com/p/ces-2025-automotive?utm_source=germanautopreneur.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=4-key-takeaways-from-ces-2025-cars-aren-t-cars-anymore

@Ashraf ismail Thanks for your thoughtful response. It's fascinating how the industry is evolving. I agree with you that there will come a time when genuine leather will be exceedingly rare to see in vehicles. In our lifetime, for sure!

Yes but as an industry it benefits us because these materials allow many things leather doesnt. A uniform substrate with less defects. Colour matching, continous customisation and personalisation. Simplification of designs and the more use of technology to cater for the coming massive transport boom globally. Remember Africa is the last point of growth for the automotive industry globally. Asia is 50% along the way to maturity of transport mediums while USA in process of upgrading and reindustrialising its transport network and has matured 10 years ago. Europe is a mature market and with aging it is a human trait to emigrate to warmer and better climates making Africa fertile land for resettlement. The resettlement and development of Africa is now underway as we see the coming largest airport in central africa. Makes good business for our industry people and companies.