Hyundai Supports Plant-Based Leather That Appears, Feels, And Smells Authentic | Carscoops

      Hyundai is collaborating with Uncaged Innovations to create plant-based leather for vehicle interiors.

      This material reportedly resembles and smells like actual leather while reducing emissions by 95%.

      It has the potential to decrease costs, minimize waste, and even provide customizable scents for car manufacturers.

      Names like SofTex, SensaTec, Nuluxe, V-Tex, StarTex, and MB-Tex represent some of the many upholstery materials that automakers use to replicate leather. This rapidly expanding category of alternatives continues to develop, with Hyundai believing it has discovered an exceptional option. The company is partnering with a startup named Uncaged Innovations, which has produced a faux leather that apparently not only looks like genuine leather but also has a similar feel and scent.

      Uncaged's material stands out from most leather alternatives, which typically use fossil fuel-based plastics, as it is predominantly plant-based. The startup incorporates wheat, soy, and corn proteins to replicate the fibrous structure of animal hides, and the results appear promising. So much so that Jaguar Land Rover is also expressing interest.

      Lower Environmental Impact

      Uncaged’s carbon footprint is said to be 95% less than that of conventional leather, and it is collaborating with Hyundai’s Cradle division to enhance its durability for long-term automotive applications. This is a significant challenge since automotive materials endure more wear and tear than items like handbags or watch straps.

      "Leather is not just leather," stated co-founder and CEO Stephanie Downs in an interview with TechCrunch. "There are literally a thousand types of leather: different animals, various thicknesses, and different tanning methods. We had to create something that could be easily customized." Notably, heat resistance is proving to be a major challenge.

      “One of the automotive companies wants us to withstand 95°C for 500 hours. In our initial experiments, we already achieved 85°C for 500 hours,” Downs mentioned. It is evident that the technology is approaching viability for this application. Interestingly, automakers are reportedly requesting that Uncaged develop ‘signature scents’ for the upholstery.

      Reduced Waste, Lower Expenses

      The advantages extend further. Genuine leather interiors can require between two to fourteen cowhides, and due to imperfections like bugs bites and scars, significant portions of these hides can be wasted.

      Uncaged’s plant-based material is manufactured in sheets, ensuring consistency and minimizing waste. Consequently, costs are also reduced, with small orders currently priced at less than $10 per square foot. In other words, car manufacturers may soon offer vehicles with synthetic leather that surpasses the quality of authentic leather.