Scottish Leather Group has published its 2024 ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Report, detailing the company’s progress towards its key goal of zero impact leather manufacturing.
The business, which produces the world’s lowest carbon leather, has made significant progress over the last 12 months.
Its 21st ESG Report reveals Scottish Leather Group is now 90% on the way to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its Scope 1 & 2 impacts, with 89% of group waste now recycled or recovered through its own processes towards the 100% target set for 2025.
The group already offers industry-leading traceability and transparency in its raw material supply chain, with 100% traceability, ensuring zero deforestation and compliance with EU legislation which is due to be introduced next year. Around 98% of Scottish Leather Group’s hides come from the UK and Ireland.
Scottish Leather Group’s latest milestones highlight its unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence and follows an important year for the business.
In September 2023, it officially opened its new £14m super-tannery after seven years of development.
The facility incorporates innovative tanning technology which sets new industry standards, enhancing quality whilst also reducing environmental impact.
Nicholas Muirhead, Scottish Leather Group CEO commented: “This is Scottish Leather Group’s 21st annual ESG Report and we are extremely proud of the progress we have made not only over the last 12 months, but over the past two decades.
“Environmental sustainability sits at the very core of all decisions that are taken across our businesses and as a result of this we are industry leaders in providing an unprecedented range of solutions to the many and complex challenges that our customers face today.
“From exceptional supply chain traceability to new tanning technologies, we’re not just delivering environmental innovation for our customers but also confidence.
“Confidence that no other leather manufacturer is doing more to continually innovate and invest in order to stay ahead within the rapidly evolving regulatory sectors in which we operate.
“All of this is only made possible through powerful and positive collaborations with our people, our suppliers and our customers which in turn underlines our central belief that together we go further.”
Scottish Leather Group continues to have the industry’s lowest Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) impact, with an independently verified carbon footprint of just 8kg CO2e/m2 on average.
Over the next year, it will continue to pursue innovative operations to achieve its sustainability targets, including the development of an onsite solar PV plant which will directly supply 25% of the operating electricity consumption.
In addition, the primary data used in the product LCA will be revisited to identify further opportunities to reduce impact.
Scottish Leather Group, which encompasses brands Bridge of Weir Leather, Lang and Muirhead, manufactures leather for the global automotive, aviation, rail, furniture, and luxury goods sectors.
Its customers include Aston Martin, Bentley, Polestar, Singapore Airways, British Airways, and Emirates, and its leather can be found in prestigious venues including the Houses of Parliament, Royal Yacht Britannia and the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library.
To find out more about Scottish Leather Group and to read its 21st ESG Report, please visit: http://www.scottishleathergroup.com/.
