The challenges of the automotive industry: Stellantis bets on new technologies and alternative materials to ensure traceability, recyclability, and CO₂ emissions reduction.
Recognizing the automotive industry’s key role in the ecological transition, Stellantis played a leading part in an open dialogue hosted by Silvateam Ecotan® during Lineapelle 105. The event featured key figures from the Italo-French multinational, such as Paolino Giorgio Napolitano (Purchasing Global Lead – Bio- sourced Raw Materials) and Elisabetta Moschetto (Soft Trim Specialist – Polymers & Bio-sourced), along with leather and bio-based materials expert Gustavo Adriàn Defeo, Manager at CTC Ars Tinctoria. “We’ve made significant investments in sustainability,” said Napolitano. “We have recently created a dedicated division—SRM (Sustainable Raw Materials)— focused on researching solutions to reduce the CO₂ impact of seats, trims, and dashboards.” He emphasized that supplier expectations are clear: deliver highly sustainable products without increasing costs for the final consumer. The Stellantis strategy is centered on selecting the best technologies to reduce CO₂ emissions per square meter of material while ensuring end-of-life recyclability. The automotive transition involves emerging technologies and materials that pose significant challenges for the leather sector. “Competition is fierce,” admitted Napolitano, “and the leather market must provide low-emission products and more natural tanning technologies.” Moschetto stressed the importance of traceability and recyclability, in addition to emission reduction.
“We must consider the entire material life cycle,” she said, highlighting the need for innovative solutions for disassembly and component recycling. “The greatest challenge lies in separating composite materials at the end of their life so they can be recycled more easily.”
The debate underscored the complexity of the transition, but also the importance of collaboration and dialogue across stakeholders. Like other automotive brands, Stellantis must balance consumer needs, ethical considerations, and environmental challenges in a constantly evolving sector. Its commitment to sustainable solutions is evident in its close partnership with Ecotan® and its tannery partners. Ecotan® is not only a highly bio-based circular tanning technology, it also enhances natural comfort and aesthetic appeal in car interiors. As car design evolves, making vehicles true extensions of our living spaces, Ecotan® leather plays a key role in shaping the interiors of the future.
