Few industries are as quick to embrace progress as the automotive sector. For instance, the very first all-steel-bodied car design didn’t appear until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
But by the time the Second World War came around, steel had replaced wood in virtually all vehicle exteriors (only to be replaced soon after by aluminum).
In the words of one famed innovator, Steve Jobs, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.” At Stahl, we bring this mindset to our leather solutions portfolio as we develop the next generation of coatings to help our customers thrive in the modern automotive era.
One of our earliest contributions to more responsible leather production was to lead the transition to lower-impact, metal-free tanning. Stahl EasyWhite Tan® is the culmination of decades of tanning innovation from Stahl. A state-of-the-art organic, metal-free tanning technology, it’s an innovative system that offers tanneries a streamlined way to produce high-quality leathers with a lower environmental impact.
Unlike most conventional tanning methods, the Stahl EasyWhite Tan® system eliminates the need for pickling and basification, significantly reducing concentrations of salts and acids present in the tanning process. What’s more, wastewater can be captured and recycled for use in the liming system, reducing both water consumption and effluent volumes. Along with the shavings and cuttings, this intermediate-tanned leather is metal-free and biodegradable.
Integrating low-impact, renewable materials into our products is another way in which Stahl is driving progress on sustainability. Take Stahl Ympact®, for example. Developed in collaboration with customers and other value chain partners, this family of novel coatings for leather processing is formulated with high levels of renewable feedstocks (between 25% and 70%) – derived from biomass, recycled plastics, and carbon dioxide captured from industrial processes.
By integrating materials based on renewable feedstocks, manufacturers can significantly reduce the fossil-based content of consumer-ready leather goods and achieve finished leathers with up to 90% renewable content. The success of Stahl's initial product launch has whetted the industry's appetite for further renewable-carbon solutions. Stahl is currently working with its partners to expand the Stahl Ympact® range, with new products to be launched in the near future.
Looking for the latest leather automotive interior trends?
Watch the video to see what trends are shaping the industry.
While increasing the sustainability of vehicle interiors offers automotive brands a clear path toward securing a competitive advantage, consumer expectations around aesthetics are higher than ever. Again, differentiation lies in the details. For instance, gold accents strategically used throughout the cabin – on seat trims, grilles, door handles, or light surrounds – creates an appealing, futuristic effect.
Importantly, Stahl’s leather processing solutions allow for this kind of design flexibility. Leading tanneries choose to work with Stahl EasyWhite Tan® because its clean, white color provides the ideal base for a wide range of shades, enabling true design flexibility. Leathers tanned with our system also benefit from improved physical strength and other performance properties.
Similarly, Stahl Ympact® is all about enabling creativity in automotive leather design. This solution is suitable for finishing all types of leather and works well with our other complementary finishing products – as well as leathers tanned with Stahl EasyWhite Tan®.
In short, our goal is to help automotive leather manufacturers and brands set the pace when it comes to meeting the challenges of constantly evolving automotive interior trends. Our solutions enable you to make the most of genuine leather, an advanced natural material for the road ahead.
Check out Stahl's 2022 ESG Report for a comprehensive look at how we’re bringing our sustainability ambitions to life for our stakeholders.