Jaguar Land Rover Using Blockchain Technology To Keep Its Leather Green

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced today that it is partnering with Circulor, a traceability provider that uses blockchain technology to keep tabs on supply chains. The technology will be used to ensure the leather used in the automaker’s vehicles is being produced correctly.

The idea is to track compliance and assess its carbon footprint, and to do so, the automaker will work not only with Circulor, but also with leading U.K. leather manufacturer Bridge of Weir Leather Company and the University of Nottingham to trial the use of the technology.

Together, the companies plan to use blockchain to create a “digital twin” of the raw material that allows progress to be tracked through the leather supply chain simultaneously in the real world and digitally. Using GPS data, biometrics, and QR codes, the movement of the leather through every step in the supply chain can be verified.

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“The outcome from this world-first trial will allow us to further improve the sustainability of the leather supply chain around the globe, ensuring the complete traceability of raw materials from origin to vehicle,” said Dave Owen, JLR’s executive director of supply chain.

If the technology is successful, JLR says it will be able to use it to trace other materials supplied to it. It also suggests that companies in other industries, such as fashion and footwear, could use the technology as well.

Along with tracing the origin of its leather, JLR is also offering more sustainable materials. The company has introduced vegan materials, such as the natural fiber Eucalyptus textile available on the Range Rover Evoque. The automaker also offers Kvadrat, a high-quality wool blend textile that is paired with a suede cloth made recycled plastic that is available on the Range Rover Evoque, the Range Rover Velar, and the Jaguar I-Pace.

“This is one step in our journey to net-zero carbon emissions across our supply chain, products, and operations by 2039, enabled by leading-edge digital capabilities,” said Owen.