Zeology wins Green Product Award 2022 – Best of New Materials

From 56 countries 1500 projects were submitted for the Green Product Award 2021 and reviewed under the aspects of design, innovation & sustainability in a multi-stage process. We are pleased that our sustainable tanning agent Zeology has won the highest award: the Green Product Award 2022 – Best of New Materials!
Green Product Award 2022

Jury statement

Zeology is a step to making the leather tanning industry better. The tanning agent is addressing the decrease of the ecological impact of leather production. Zeology leather is biodegradable and allowing development of circular systems for leather articles.

About Zeology

Zeology was developed by Nera, a brand of Royal Smit & Zoon, as a sustainable alternative to existing tanning agents. It is zeolite-based and chrome-free, heavy metal-free and aldehyde-free. Therefore, the main benefit is for the environment: less pollution, less discharge of chemicals in waste and waste water, no use of chromium or glutardialdehyde (GDA) and improved biodegradability of the tanned material. What makes Zeology unique, compared to both traditional tanning agents and other existing sustainable alternatives, is that it delivers both sustainability benefits and superior leather performance.

About the Award & the Green Future Club

Since 2013, the international Green Product Award has recognized products and services that excel in design, innovation and sustainability. The award presents 13 categories – Architecture & Tiny Houses, Beauty & Personal Care, Building Components, Consumer Goods, Fashion, Interior & Lifestyle, Kids, Kitchen, Mobility, New Materials, Packaging, Sport and Workspace. The Green Concept Award, presented in collaboration with the IKEA Stiftung, exclusively honours concepts for sustainable products & services, that are not yet on the market.

The aim of the Green Future Club is to inspire consumers and industry with good examples and to provide feedback and networking opportunities to the participants of the awards so that all products become sustainable (faster). Each year, the annual Green Trend Book highlights upcoming sustainable trends and award-winning submissions to the Awards. 

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