Material Innovation / Revoltech Interview

Collection: Sea Change

Agriculture, Engineering and Material Design Converge in Revoltech's Leather Alternative

A couple of friends and a stated goal — to fuse nature, technology, and science to redefine how materials are produced and used globally. The sophomore project was an “indignant” reaction at the colossal fashion waste during an internship which has since gone commercial with clients in the fashion, automotive and packaging industries. Revoltech’s hemp-based and biodegradable LOVR works as an ingredient brand for sustainable leather alternatives. texfash.com talks to its CEO and one of the Co-Founders Lucas Fuhrmann to know more.

Richa Bansal

9 December 2024

6 minutes

Long Story, Cut Short

Revoltech seeks to bring together agriculture, engineering and material design to achieve a common goal: transform the way materials are made.
Its ingredient brand LOVR is a biodegradable, recyclable alternative to traditional and synthetic leathers, developed using agricultural residues and without synthetic additives.
LOVR needs composting conditions to biodegrade: high temperature, high humidity and above all the presence of the right microorganisms.

An acronym that stands for Leather-like, Oil-free, Vegan, and Residue-Based, the process to create LOVR begins with sourcing agricultural hemp residues, which are typically discarded. These residues are dried, refined, and combined with a proprietary natural binder to create the bio-based material. Future applications include furniture, and wearables, in addition to the existing focus on fashion and automotive industries.

LOVR bind An acronym that stands for Leather-like, Oil-free, Vegan, and Residue-Based, the process to create LOVR begins with sourcing agricultural hemp residues, which are typically discarded. These residues are dried, refined, and combined with a proprietary natural binder to create the bio-based material. Future applications include furniture, and wearables, in addition to the existing focus on fashion and automotive industries. Revoltech

Revoltech GmH, founded 2021, Darmstadt, Germany is committed to revolutionising materials by creating sustainable, nature-inspired solutions that challenge the environmental impact of traditional industries.

A student of philosophy, behavioural science and economics, Lucas Fuhrmann was appalled at the rampant greenwashing practices at a huge fashion company where he was interning. The result was the idea to come up with LOVR. He is currently responsible for sales, marketing and PR.

Global exposure ensured that Montgomery Wagner, who studied political science and economics, could run the business with his managerial and legal skills.

It took six years of research before Revoltech was officially founded in 2021 as a spin-off company from TU Darmstadt.

Core innovation: Revoltech’s flagship material, LOVR, is a hemp-based, biodegradable, and recyclable alternative to traditional and synthetic leathers. Developed using agricultural residues and without synthetic additives, LOVR embodies true circularity. The second material, MATTR, an algae-based solution, is currently under development with the promise to offer a softer, more flexible alternative for textiles and interiors.

texfash.com: Give us a brief background on how you started. What was the trigger that led to this award-winning innovation?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Revoltech was founded out of a shared frustration with the unsustainable materials currently dominating the market. The turning point came during an internship in the fashion industry, where I became acutely aware of the environmental destruction caused by leather production and synthetic alternatives. This realisation led to years of research on agricultural residues, ultimately culminating in the development of LOVR, a truly sustainable, hemp-based material. Our journey from concept to commercialisation has been driven by our unwavering commitment to creating materials that not only meet performance standards but also positively impact the planet.

TAGS

Company:

Revoltech

Country:

Germany

Individual:

Sector:

Hemp

Subject:

MATTR, an acronym for Material, Algae-based, Tender, Toxin-free and Renewable/Responsible, is an algae-based, biodegradable material. Algae is a naturally renewable, abundant and fast-growing resource that absorbs carbon emissions. It is also toxin-free, making the material safe to produce, use and, eventually, dispose of.

It matters MATTR, an acronym for Material, Algae-based, Tender, Toxin-free and Renewable/Responsible, is an algae-based, biodegradable material. Algae is a naturally renewable, abundant and fast-growing resource that absorbs carbon emissions. It is also toxin-free, making the material safe to produce, use and, eventually, dispose of. MATTR offers a softer, more tactile option for textiles and home applications. Revoltech

How did the three of you come together? Share any interesting story or trivia about how you started working together.
Lucas Fuhrmann: Montgomery Wagner (COO) and I have been friends for 16 years, sharing a passion for sustainability and innovation. I first experimented with plant residues during a trip to Latin America, where I worked with banana plants to create bio-materials. When I returned to Germany, I wanted to focus on local agricultural waste and began experimenting with hemp residues. Montgomery joined shortly after, bringing his expertise in political economy to help scale the concept into a viable business. Together, we combined our strengths to transform an innovative idea into an award-winning startup.

Your website says, “…a spin-off company from TU Darmstadt.” Could you explain the connection with the university?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Revoltech originated as a research project at TU Darmstadt, where we had access to labs, mentorship, and a community of innovators. The university provided the foundation for the scientific breakthroughs that led to LOVR and MATTR. Even after our formal spin-off, we continue to collaborate with TU Darmstadt on R&D projects, ensuring our solutions are backed by cutting-edge research.

What are the challenges faced so far — be it in terms of product, research and development, and finally the commercial rollout?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Product: Developing LOVR with a natural binder that balances performance and sustainability was an important milestone, and we’ve successfully addressed this challenge.

R&D: Refining our processes to ensure consistent quality and adaptability for various applications required significant investment in testing and innovation.
Commercial scaling: Scaling production has not been a major challenge for us, as our processes are inherently scalable and designed for efficiency. However, broader challenges such as political restrictions, shifting regulatory environments, and the global focus on sustainability require constant adaptation.

What are the challenges that using hemp residue faces, especially in reference to the textile industry?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Unlike traditional textile manufacturers, who often require specific qualities such as long, uniform fibres, we face no such challenges when working with hemp residues. Our proprietary process is designed to work with a variety of hemp by-products, regardless of their consistency or length. This flexibility allows us to upcycle agricultural waste into high-performance materials like LOVR without the limitations faced by other manufacturers.

What drew you to hemp? How did you start? Where did the seed money come from? How much did you invest? By when do you expect to break even?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Hemp was chosen due to its exceptional sustainability benefits: it requires minimal water, no harmful pesticides, and acts as a powerful carbon sink. As mentioned, I first began experimenting with plant residues in Latin America, working with banana plants. Upon returning to Germany, I turned to hemp as a local and sustainable option. Initial funding came from research grants, seed investments, and strategic partnerships with industry players. Unlike many competitors, our production processes are inherently scalable, utilising existing industrial production technologies. With an annual production capacity of 20 million m², we are well-positioned to meet global demand. We expect to break even in the next years.

Scalability & sustainability

Revoltech leverages a patent-pending technology that enables scalable production using existing industrial paper machines. With an annual production capacity of 20 million m² and raw materials sourced from regional farms, it ensures both environmental and economic sustainability.

Market impact

LOVR has already attracted leading brands in automotive (Volkswagen), fashion (ID Genève Watches), and accessories (Les Mains Bleues). With awards such as the Green Product Award, Techtextil Innovation Award, and German Design Award, Revoltech is well on its way to establish itself as a leader in sustainable material innovation.

Vision

By 2030, Revoltech aims to position LOVR as a global ingredient brand for sustainable leather alternatives, eliminating plastic and harmful chemicals from industries like fashion, automotive, and interiors.

Key Attributes

100% biodegradable and recyclable — under the right conditions.
Made from agricultural residues (hemp-based)
No synthetic additives or plastics
Comparable durability and performance to leather

The Revoltech clients include Volkswagen, ID Genève Watches, and Les Mains Bleues. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the sustainability and durability of its materials. Clients have requested greater flexibility in applications, which the company is addressing through ongoing innovation.

the Roster The Revoltech clients include Volkswagen, ID Genève Watches, and Les Mains Bleues. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the sustainability and durability of its materials. Clients have requested greater flexibility in applications, which the company is addressing through ongoing innovation. Revoltech

Take us through the process — how the hemp residue is used and its future applications. Could you also elaborate on the residue bit?
Lucas Fuhrmann: The process begins with sourcing agricultural hemp residues, which are typically discarded. These residues are dried, refined, and combined with a proprietary natural binder to create LOVR. By repurposing waste into a high-value material, we promote circularity. Future applications include furniture, and wearables, in addition to our existing focus on fashion and automotive industries.

There is doubt in the industry about the viability of biomaterials, particularly regarding sustainability and biodegradability. What do you have to say about it?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Scepticism often stems from a lack of transparency in production processes. At Revoltech, our materials are made exclusively from bio-based components without harmful chemicals or synthetic binders, ensuring true biodegradability. Composting trials have shown that LOVR decomposes completely in the right environment, leaving no trace. The composting conditions to biodegrade: high temperature, high humidity and above all the presence of the right microorganisms. We stand by our commitment to creating genuinely sustainable alternatives.

What is your supply chain like? Where do you source your raw materials from? How sustainable is the supply chain?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Our hemp residues are sourced from German farms, ensuring traceability and supporting local agriculture. By using agricultural by-products, we minimise resource extraction and reduce waste. Our supply chain is designed to prioritise sustainability, from raw material sourcing to production and end-of-life disposal.

Please elaborate on the attributes and usage of LOVR. What else are you working on?
Lucas Fuhrmann: LOVR is firm, abrasion-resistant, and moldable, making it suitable for fashion accessories, automotive interiors, and small consumer goods.

We are also developing MATTR, an algae-based material that offers a softer, more tactile option for textiles and home applications. Both materials aim to provide scalable, sustainable solutions across diverse industries.

What is your capacity now? What percentage of your capacity is being utilised?
Lucas Fuhrmann: We currently have the infrastructure to produce 20 million m² of LOVR per year, a scale unmatched by most competitors in the biomaterials industry. At the moment we plan to increase production as demand grows and partnerships expand.

Which brands are your clients? What is the feedback like? What are the changes they have demanded since you started?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Our clients include Volkswagen, ID Genève Watches, and Les Mains Bleues. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the sustainability and durability of our materials. Clients have requested greater flexibility in applications, which we are addressing through ongoing innovation.

What are the certifications that you have gone for?
Lucas Fuhrmann: We are pursuing certifications such as Cradle-to-Cradle, ISO 14001, and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which align with our commitment to transparency and sustainability.

With respect to the awards won this far, in hindsight what do you think you got right about the entire thing?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Our success lies in our holistic approach: creating materials that are not just sustainable but also high-performing and versatile. By focusing on circularity, transparency, and collaboration, we’ve resonated with both the industry and consumers.

Lucas Fuhrmann

Co-Founder and CEO

Revoltech

At Revoltech, our materials are made exclusively from bio-based components without harmful chemicals or synthetic binders, ensuring true biodegradability. Composting trials have shown that LOVR decomposes completely in the right environment, leaving no trace. The composting conditions to biodegrade: high temperature, high humidity and above all the presence of the right microorganisms. We stand by our commitment to creating genuinely sustainable alternatives.

Richa Bansal

RICHA BANSAL has more than 30 years of media industry experience, of which the last 20 years have been with leading fashion magazines in both B2B and B2C domains. Her areas of interest are traditional textiles and fabrics, retail operations, case studies, branding stories, and interview-driven features.

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