Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2021

1 1 8 INTERV IEW L eather has played an integral role in many industries over the years, particularly in fashion and interior design. Its position in these industries is underlined by its many qualities, including durability, easy maintenance and biodegradability. Jimmy Ahlgren, sales and marketing director at Elmo Leather, believes there are even more benefits to the natural material. “Leather differs from other materials because it speaks to your senses – it has a great appearance, a decadent and rich smell and feels nice to touch,” he says. Unlike synthetic fabrics, leather also ages incredibly well. “Other textiles can begin to look dirty and overused after a while,” says Ahlgren. This longevity and durability has opened up a particularly fruitful market for Elmo Leather. “Marine refurbishment departments are particularly interested in the long-term cost of their projects,” says Ahlgren. “When looking at cost per year, leather actually becomes much cheaper than other materials – it is hardwearing and easy to maintain, so it lasts longer than faux alternatives.” Leather also has sustainable qualities and Ahlgren and his team employ environmentally friendly practices throughout the production of their leather. The firm uses natural pigments to dye its products and follows the European Chemical Agency’s chemical regulation by using substances that do not harm the environment. “We also send our trimmings to a local facility to be used in energy production and have our own waste-water facility,” says Ahlgren. “The waste material that we accumulate within the factory is all managed sustainably. You could say that we don’t really have any waste.” CFI “ The waste material that we accumulate within the factory is all managed sustainably” Elmo Leather uses natural pigments to create a range of colours in its products The natural solution Elmo Leather’s Jimmy Ahlgren tells Elly Yates-Roberts about the sustainable qualities of leather and the firm’s environmentally friendly practices