Lear Corporation, the global automotive technology leader in seating and e-systems headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, to introduce its high-end and entirely recyclable ReNewKnit sueded material for seats and door panel applications in 2024. 

According to Lear, ReNewKnit is a first-to-market automotive textile that is entirely recyclable after use. It bolsters the company's sustainable solutions technology portfolio while supporting its carbon reduction goals and is produced entirely using recycled materials at Lear facilities using 100% renewable electricity.

Frank Orsini, 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 textiles are made of polyester yarns and finished with a foam-free, recycled fleece backing to further reduce water and energy usage during production. ReNewKnit fabrics are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.

The material will alter people's perceptions of recycled and used textiles by offering a variety of surfaces that are functionally upgraded and appropriate for a wide range of interior uses.

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

ReNewKnit will be produced at Guilford Performance Textiles facilities in the UK and Poland. Guilford Performance Textiles is a Lear company.