U.S. Leather Industry to Volvo: Leather is the Ultimate Bio-Based, Recycled, Natural Material

Attribute Statement to Leather and Hide Council of America President Stephen Sothmann

“The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA), representing the U.S. industry which recycles approximately 30 percent of the world’s cattle hides used for leather production purposes, categorically rejects Swedish carmaker Volvo’s recent announcement that by removing leather from its future electric vehicles it will somehow impact cattle and beef production globally.

There is not a farmer or rancher in the world who is raising cattle or sheep for leather production purposes. Hides and skins are an inevitable by-product of meat and dairy production, and if not recycled for leather, will simply be discarded in a landfill or incinerated. Volvo’s announcement will only lead to more unnecessary waste.

The LHCA estimates that approximately 4.8 million U.S. hides went to waste in 2020 rather than being utilized for leather production. In fact, research affirms the number of cattle reared for meat and dairy production would remain unchanged even if people stopped buying leather. It underscores the important role the leather industry plays in recycling a readily available by-product, while reducing waste and inhibiting environmental degradation in the process.

If Volvo wishes to utilize more recycled and bio-based natural materials in its vehicles, it should look no further than the original article – leather.”

About LHCA

The Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) is a full-service industry trade association representing the entire U.S. leather supply chain, including meatpackers, hides and skins processors, traders, leather tanners, finished leather goods producers, footwear companies, chemical suppliers, and more. The association provides its members with government, public relations, and international trade assistance and support. LHCA is a cooperator organization under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s foreign market development programs, assisting U.S. firms develop new markets for U.S. agricultural exports. LHCA is at the forefront of the industry’s needs, providing members with education and technical information to compete in today’s global marketplace.