13 A truly natural circular economy – Elmo Leather Leather is one of the most sustainable and oldest materials known to man. Leather itself is a byproduct made by nature and eventually, after a long and productive life, it goes back to nature. Rawhides: At Elmo the rawhides are 100 per cent locally sourced from Scandinavia which has a low carbon footprint in terms of transportation. The animals enjoy a life of the very best animal welfare and the hides are traceable back to eco farms. Upcycling waste products: Elmo generates zero waste from production. Instead, our waste products are sold as fertiliser and gelatin or turned into energy. Paper, plastic, metal and cardboard are recycled. Energy: By using 100 per cent renewable energy and biofuel-based steam for heating, Elmo has become fully carbon dioxide (CO2) neutral on energy. Water: The production process ‘borrows’ water from the nearby river. Water usage is low at 16.5m3/ ton of rawhide, less than half of what is used by conventional tanneries. At the company’s own cleaning facility, levels of nitrogen, chrome, phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) are reduced before the water is discharged back into the river. Elmo’s wastewater becomes drinking water. Air emissions: Many years ago, the company moved from solvent-based to water-based finishing. This enabled the reduction of air emissions to a fraction of European limits. Elmo has a particularly low CO2 footprint due to locally supplied rawhides. Long life: Leather is a naturally long-life material compared to other surface materials and it is highly durable, aging gracefully and developing a rich patina. With durability comes an extended life, reduced need for replacement and cost efficiency. Biodegradable: Very often leather furniture is passed on to the next generations. Unlike many other materials, it is also fully biodegradable.
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