Leather Seat Upcycling
“How are leather car seats made?”
The leather used in car seats is generally selected based on strict criteria, taking into account factors such as durability, non-toxicity, and aesthetics. It must be resistant to dirt and wear, and must not contain any harmful substances. Design-wise, it must also meet drivers’ and aesthetic needs, with appropriate color, texture, and elasticity.
The issue lies in environmental impact, as the waste produced through leather seat production is associated with high carbon emissions. In response, Hyundai Transys has been consistent in its implementation of resource circulation campaigns, transforming discarded seats and leather scraps generated during the development and testing of car seats into bags and other accessories.
NextZero, A Resource Circulation Upcycling Brand
Representative examples of Hyundai Transys’s resource circulation campaigns include its ‘Restyle Campaign’ in partnership with Hyundai Motor Company, its ‘Car Bags Campaign’ in partnership with More Than, and the launch of its leather seat upcycling brand, ‘NextZero.’ Notably, NextZero has been raising its profile as a leather accessory brand by offering keychains, business card holders, card holder wallets, and coin purses that combine functionality, quality, and unique designs.
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I thought it was so wasteful to just throw away discarded samples or leather scraps, but I’m really glad to learn that they can be used in so many different ways, and I’ve even had the chance to experience it firsthand.
Hyundai Transys, Research Engineer Hong Yu-ri
A Single Card Holder Wallet Reduces Carbon Emissions by 18kg
Hyundai Transys’s upcycling campaign is also highly effective in terms of resource circulation. For example, the creation of just one card holder wallet from upcycled leather reduces carbon emissions by approximately 18kg. Additionally, business card holders, card holder wallets, and coin purses made from discarded leather or high-quality leather scraps incorporate their unique shapes, adding an element of exclusivity to their design.
This campaign has been made even more meaningful through employee participation. In a 2024 ‘Upcycling DIY Workshop’ held at the public space ‘Makerspace,’ employees participated in the creation of upcycled goods and directly experienced the process of resource circulation for themselves, giving them the chance to see how the leather scraps they encounter through their work can be reborn.
Expanding into Local CSR Activities
Hyundai Transys is considering continuously supporting the production of play furniture for shelters for underprivileged children using scrap leather.
Additionally, its Dongtan Seat Research Institute is conducting resource circulation projects using leather scraps, while its Seosan factory has initiatives to provide support to the elderly, in order to help solve social issues caused by an aging population. Through these social outreach initiatives, Hyundai Transys strives to create a sustainable future based on mobility technology.
