In their 2022 sustainability report, published on June 6, German automotive leather group Bader put focus on sustainable uses of leather manufacturing by-products.

Despite the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, starting on February 24, where they have one of their production units, Bader Group celebrated 150 years of “passion and leather innovation” in 2022, with the management board saying “Despite these difficulties, the Bader Group continued on its path to even more sustainability. This report outlines information on activities and measures implemented in this field.”

Alongside the now familiar sustainability metrics, the use of collagenic waste materials produced in the manufacturing process were highlighted as one of the driving forces in their sustainability journey, in collaboration with upcycling partner Avema.

A company that specialises in innovative research and development for re-use and upcycling natural materials, the waste and by-products from other manufacturing processes, Avema worked with Bader in 2022 to develop a sustainable, organic fertiliser.

Avema OPD-N fertiliser, a collagen fibre pellet, upcycled from the leather processing operations, is said to consume a fraction of the energy required to produce, in comparison to synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and in its pure form is the ideal nitrogen fertiliser. It also bridges fluctuations in the water supply due to its moisture-regulating effect. The pellet stores over 100 % of its own weight and can return this moisture to the soil.

Previously, in 2021, the two companies collaborated on “Greta”, a collagen fibre based, 100% biodegradable plant pot.

The full sustainability report can be found here.