Zeology Leather Residuals Provide the Foundation for Circular Innovation

From Leather Residuals to High-Value Circular Materials

At Nera – Royal Smit & Zoon, sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. Through our chrome, heavy metal – and aldehyde – free tanning agent Zeology , we continuously explore new ways to maximize the value of leather and its resources throughout the entire lifecycle.

Nera – Royal Smit & Zoon recently collaborated in the Lasting Leather LAB (LLL) project, by Material Sense LAB and contributed to the development of LC3, an innovative composite material created from leather production residuals and bio-based polymers. This collaboration demonstrates how Zeology leather residuals are not waste and can be transformed into high-value materials for the circular economy.

During the production of Zeology leather for industrial applications, leather offcuts and residual materials are generated. Rather than viewing these materials as waste, they can be recovered and transformed into a valuable secondary raw material. For the LLL project, these Zeology leather residuals were processed and transformed and through new technology combined with PHBV, a biodegradable biopolymer produced through biotechnology by microorganisms that convert wastewater into bioplastic.

The result is LC3, a durable and future-oriented biomaterial that combines high-performance characteristics with circular design principles. The material is suitable for a wide range of applications, including furniture, interior products, and other design-driven solutions. One of the first showcase applications is the armrest of the Ahrend Well Chair, demonstrating the practical potential of this innovative material.

Why Zeology Leather is the Ideal Foundation for LC3

The success of LC3 is closely linked to the unique characteristics of Zeology leather. As a chrome-free sustainable tanning agent, Zeology provides an ideal basis for the development of fully biodegradable composite materials while maintaining the premium aesthetics, touch, and quality expected from high-quality leather.

Key benefits of the LC3:

• Mechanical properties comparable to polypropylene (PP)
• Strong potential for circular product design and future compliance with evolving regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
• Premium appearance and tactile qualities inspired by natural leather
• Full biodegradability potential enabled by the use of carefully selected chrome-free and organically tanned leather streams
• Driving Circular Material Innovation Through Collaboration

Collaboration Driving Circular Material Innovation
Lasting leather LAB initiative

LC3 was developed through a multidisciplinary collaboration between Material Sense LAB, AMS Institute, Ahrend, TU Delft, NPSP, and Paques Biomaterials, with support from RVO. The project is part of the Lasting Leather LAB initiative, by Material Sense LAB, which focuses on revaluing and extending the life of high-quality materials through innovative circular solutions.

Building a More Circular Future for Leather

For Nera – Royal Smit & Zoon, this project illustrates the broader potential of Zeology technology beyond leather production alone. By enabling new applications for leather residuals and supporting the development of biodegradable materials, Zeology contributes to a more resource-efficient and circular future for the leather value chain.

For more information about LC3 and collaboration opportunities, visit http://www.materialsenselab.com.