Lear Corporation, a leader in seating and electronic systems for the automotive industry, announced that a major global automaker would introduce its high-end, totally recyclable ReNewKnit™ sueded material in seats and door panel applications in 2024.

ReNewKnit™ is a Lear-only, first-to-market automobile textile that can be completely recycled after use. ReNewKnit™ is a product that supports our carbon reduction objectives and further improves the company's sustainable solutions technology portfolio. It is produced entirely from recycled materials at Lear facilities using 100% renewable electricity.

Frank Orsini, Executive Vice President and President of Lear’s Seating business, said that at Lear, they are positioning their surface material offerings to what they believe is the future - a global circular economy where repurposed textiles can be infinitely recycled to become the ultimate raw material for sustainable manufacturing and design.

ReNewKnit™ fibers, which are made entirely of recycled plastic bottles, are spun from polyester yarn and finished with a recycled fleece backing to use less water and energy during production.

The high-end material challenges ideas about recycled and used textiles by offering a variety of surfaces that are functionally upgraded and suited for a wide range of interior applications.

Orsini said that ReNewKnit™ matches with the goal automakers have for providing a premium look and feel without forgoing the sense of luxury and performance expected from a suede-like material."

ReNewKnit™, created by Guilford Performance Textiles by Lear, will be produced at business locations in Poland and the United Kingdom.