Muirhead reveals vision for future of rail leather ahead of InnoTrans 2024
Paisley, Scotland – Muirhead, a trusted supplier of high-performance leather to some of the world’s most respected passenger transport and aviation brands, has unveiled its vision for tomorrow’s sustainable rail seat covers.
Ahead of this year’s InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, the Scottish manufacturer says leathers with excellent biodegradability and compostability characteristics are poised to become a standard on rolling stock over the coming years.
Kevin Smith, Head of Mass Transit at Muirhead, said: “The rail leather of the future is 100% bio-based, entirely chrome-free, heavy metal-free, glutaraldehyde-free, with fantastic biodegradability properties. To achieve this, we need cutting-edge tanning systems that eliminate reliance on chrome salts and glutaraldehyde, paving the way for rail leather that can be in the future manufactured without the use of fossil fuels, oils, and heavy metals.
For over two decades, Muirhead has been dedicated to this mission, investing heavily in cutting-edge tanning systems and technologies that will enable us to increase the bio-based renewable carbon content in our leather to 90% and beyond. We’re now building on our pioneering innovations in the aviation sector to bring Muirhead’s chrome and heavy metal-free tanning solution to rail operators. However, the ultimate goal is a fully compostable and biodegradable leather product – a breakthrough that will transform the rail interiors of tomorrow.”
Earlier this year, Muirhead fully replaced its existing tanning chemistry with compostable technology, marking a significant stride in its commitment to reducing – and ultimately eliminating – the use of fossil fuels, oil-based elements, and heavy metals from all its operations.
The resulting product, Muirhead’s chrome and heavy metal-free FreeTAN® tanning solution is already available for aviation customers. The manufacturer is now working on meeting the high performance and durability standards required by rail operators, setting the stage for the product’s entry into the rail sector.
Renowned for producing the world’s lowest-carbon aviation leather, Muirhead boasts a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of just 8kg CO₂e/m², helping its customers to reduce their own carbon impact directly. Its patented circular manufacturing process incorporates energy recovery, water reuse, renewable energy, locally sourced materials with 100% traceability, and a unique take-back scheme for end-of-life leather. All its raw hides come from responsible farms with the highest standards of animal welfare and zero deforestation.
Recently, the company announced the opening of its £14 million, hyper-efficient Super Tannery to further enhance the production of the world’s lowest-carbon leather products.
