Guest commentary: Every step counts to drive down greenhouse gas emissions with green materials

In the wake of the warmest decade on record, nations around the world are racing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Through legal accords such as the Paris climate agreements, global leaders have committed to cutting emissions in half by 2030. Doing so necessarily involves a holistic transformation of the automotive industry, which accounts for roughly 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

A holistic approach means addressing the entire life cycle of the vehicle, from the manufacturing of its parts to its ultimate disposal. Roughly 80 percent of automotive greenhouse gas emissions occur during consumer use. While significant strides have been made toward enhancing fuel efficiency and converting vehicles to all-electric drivetrains, these steps won't be enough. To meet emissions goals, manufacturers must focus on the remaining 18 to 22 percent of greenhouse gases generated by the creation and disposal of vehicle materials.

The materials used to build cars are often produced in emissions-heavy manufacturing and subsequently transported through a lengthy supply chain. Upon retirement, a car's constituent parts must be broken down and either disposed of or recycled. Throughout this process, a considerable amount of greenhouse gases can be released. Therefore, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to incorporate novel materials that not only produce fewer lifetime greenhouse gases but also can be recycled.

To do this, many are turning to next-generation materials.

Advances in materials science, chemical synthesis and biomanufacturing have given rise to next-generation materials — innovative textiles formed from a wide range of sources, from synthetic proteins to spiderlike silks. The most successful of these materials achieve performance parity (or superiority) with conventional materials while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Though there are many applications for novel textiles in automotive design, one noteworthy opportunity for decarbonization lies in alternatives to leather. Historically, leather manufacturing has been a carbon-intensive process and is associated with complex geopolitical and ecological controversy. However, leather is also an ancient material crafted by artisans for millennia. Its resilience, water resistance, and blemished character have made it a high-performing status symbol, representing quality and luxury.

A commercially viable alternative to leather will thus have to be more than just ecologically friendly. It will have to inspire reverence among consumers as a durable material worth showing off.

Early attempts to manufacture leather alternatives struggled to survive in the competitive automotive marketplace, as synthetic materials typically lacked the authentic feel and craftsmanship of leather.

In contrast, next-generation materials overcome many of these limitations.

For example, advances in material manufacturing have given rise to nonwoven leather alternatives that display superior material qualities while retaining the charm of traditional craftsmanship. Those developed with drop-in capabilities — meaning the material can be produced with leather manufacturing workflows — enable tanneries to mold the novel material using traditional methods. The end result is a product that closely resembles leather in look and feel, while displaying superior durability, lighter overall weight and a reduced environmental footprint.

Such a material can benefit the automotive industry. Lightweight alternatives can reduce vehicle weight, improving fuel or battery efficiency. Drop-in technology shortens supply chains, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting hides. Circular materials also minimize the need for virgin material production and reduce waste, further curbing emissions. These benefits mean that vehicles made with next-generation materials are likely to have a holistically reduced emission profile.

The advent of next-generation materials is a timely relief for the automotive industry, as recent legislation and consumer demands call for manufacturers to decarbonize

For example, the European Union recently proposed legislation — the End-Of-Life Vehicles Directive — to improve the circularity of automobile design, incentivizing the use of upcycled materials as well as the incorporation of recyclable components. In parallel, the EU is set to implement a carbon tax on imported goods, increasing the price of materials produced using carbon-intensive methods — including several materials used in car manufacturing, such as steel, aluminum and leather.

These legislative maneuvers reflect a broader demand among consumers for eco-friendly products. It's estimated that the market for animal-free, leatherlike materials will reach $85 billion by next year. Collectively, these pressures are helping to drive a shift in the automotive industry. Already, top brands such as Land Rover, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have begun to integrate leather alternatives, and many others have followed suit.

The adoption of leather alternatives is a small step in the march toward net-zero emissions. But, with so much at stake, every step counts and — thanks to next-generation materials — this is an easy one.