The lowest carbon leather on two tracks at Innotrans 2024
180 Years of Sustainable Innovation in Rail Transport
For over 180 years, Muirhead has been synonymous with high-quality Scottish leather, setting the standard in the passenger transport industry. Proudly serving the aviation sector since 1940, our unwavering commitment to technical excellence and continuous innovation now extends to the train interiors, empowering us to confidently meet the evolving demands of the global rail sector.
Meeting the Challenges of Modern Rail Travel
Today, the rail industry faces increasing pressures to enhance passenger comfort, uphold stringent hygiene standards, and advance environmental sustainability. Muirhead's low-carbon natural leather not only meets these demands but exceeds them, offering unparalleled durability and technical excellence. Our leather is designed with built-in flame resistance, lightweight properties, easy cleaning, and even antiviral capabilities, making it the ideal choice for train interiors.
Unmatched Durability and Value
Muirhead’s high performance leather is renowned for its exceptional durability, outlasting other materials and significantly reducing the total cost of ownership. We offer a market-leading 7-year warranty, yet many operators find that Muirhead leather exceeds expectations, often lasting 10-12 years and delivering unmatched long-term value.
Technical Excellence in Compliance and Certification
Meeting the highest safety standards is paramount in the rail industry. Muirhead's state-of-the-art in-house testing laboratory allows us to test full seat constructions to EN45545-2 and EN16989 standards, ensuring our leather meets and exceeds regulatory requirements. Whether for new builds, refurbishments, or upgrades, our investment in technical excellence supports manufacturers in achieving full certification for Muirhead-upholstered seats.
Sustainability at the Core
Beyond durability, Muirhead leather is a responsible choice for the planet. We take pride in having the world’s lowest Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for leather, at just 8kg CO2e per m². This industry-leading LCA figure reflects our commitment to sustainability, setting a benchmark that inspires others in the textile sector.
Our leather is sourced locally from sustainably managed, grass-fed farms, and our manufacturing processes prioritise environmental responsibility. We recycle water, repurpose process waste as fuel in our Thermal Energy Plant, and have reduced our carbon impact by 90% since 2003 through the use of 100% renewable electricity and a zero-waste policy.
Commitment to Transparency and Ethical Sourcing
Muirhead offers full supply chain transparency with 100% traceability and zero deforestation on our sustainable leather. We proudly support the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and our sourcing practices align with the highest standards of animal welfare. We source 100% of our hides from the UK and Ireland as a by-product of the food industry, which is highly rated in the Animal Protection Index. Our parent company, Scottish Leather Group (SLG), underscores this commitment to sustainability in its 2023 Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. The report details our journey, actions, and commitments towards a sustainable future, including our adherence to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring every claim is substantiated with verified data.
The Future of Rail, Rooted in Tradition
Rooted in a family tradition since 1840, Muirhead has emerged as the leader in high performance leather by seamlessly blending time-honoured craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovations in product design, engineering, and science. Our unwavering commitment to environmentally sustainable leather and technical excellence drives everything we do. With in-house testing and rigorous quality standards, our Scottish leather offers unparalleled advantages for train interiors, ensuring both exceptional performance and a sustainable future.
