LOVR™ is the first textile solution developed and produced by revoltech, a company dedicated to addressing environmental challenges by developing innovative and sustainable alternatives to traditional textiles. The material is made from hemp residues, is plastic-free and 100% plant-based. The unique composition technology allows the textile to be fully recycled and biodegradable. We interviewed Lucas Fuhrmann, co-founder of the company along with Montgomery Wagner and Julian Mushövel, to better understand what LOVR™ is and how it is produced.
Can you tell me more about how revoltech was born?
Lucas Fuhrmann: Yes, the project became a company in 2021 but our research began in 2016. The idea originated during my internship at a fashion company, where I was frustrated by the extent of greenwashing. I realized there was a need for a new approach, starting at the beginning of the value chain with more sustainable materials. Traditional textiles, made from cotton or synthetic fibers, have significant environmental impacts: cotton uses large amounts of water and pesticides, while synthetic fibers rely on petroleum. Even leather and faux leather have sustainability issues.
At the beginning, the company focused on sourcing materials that are inherently available: we began by exploring agricultural waste because it is a byproduct of food production. Starting with these excess materials, which were available but not currently used, became the foundation of our project. We kept an open approach during the design and development process and we ended up creating an alternative to leather. Our research, conducted between 2016 and 2021, led to the establishment of the company in 2021 when my co-founders Montgomery Wagner and Julian Mushövel joined me in this venture.
We have since shifted away from using banana fibers and now focus solely on hemp waste. As bananas do not grow here in Germany, we aim to source materials as locally as possible. We work with hemp farmers in Germany and nearby European countries to reduce the environmental impact of transportation.
How did you manage to transform agricultural waste into your material?
Lucas: Initially, we experimented with banana fibers which, like hemp, are a byproduct of fast-growing plants. Both plants produce significant amounts of waste: for bananas, it comes from the stalks and leaves after harvest. For hemp, it is mainly the straw left over from harvesting the seeds used for nutritional products or CBD oil.
Hemp straw, often discarded, contains both fibrous and woody parts. We use the fibrous part, which we process mechanically, adding natural binders, pigments, waxes, and oils. The mixture is then heated and pressed to create the final material. Our process is like sheet-forming: we mix the ingredients into a slurry, which is then pressed into sheets. Unlike extrusion methods used for synthetic or biobased fibers, our technique produces a sheet material ready for various applications.
Do you offer customized solutions or focus on standardized products?
Lucas: We offer both standardized and customized products. We have a standard material but also work with large partners to adapt our material for specific applications. We provide different versions, such as a stiffer solution for accessories and belts, and more flexible options for other uses. Our standard thicknesses range from 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters, with our current offering being around 0.7 to 0.8 millimeters.
What challenges do you face in scaling up production?
Lucas: We produce the material on rolls, typically 2 meters wide, using a continuous process. Scaling up involves challenges such as adjusting recipes and machinery. Currently, we are working on scaling up a more flexible version of our material, which has proven challenging but rewarding.
Can your material be recycled or composted?
Lucas: Yes, our material is recyclable. It’s a single-layer product without backing, so it can be recycled into new panels. While we believe it’s compostable based on trials, we haven’t obtained formal certification yet. In our trials, the material degraded within five months in a compost setup, but this was not a certified scientific test.
How was the initial response from the design market?
Lucas: We received very positive feedback and were overwhelmed by the number of requests. Our material’s appeal lies in its circular nature, recyclability, biodegradability, and low carbon emissions. However, balancing all these sustainability benefits with the performance criteria required by clients is challenging.
Are you currently focusing on B2B or B2C markets?
Lucas: At the moment, we are focusing on B2B. For a company of our size, it’s more manageable to work with a few large clients rather than pursuing B2C markets. This strategy is part of our current approach.
Do you have any advice for our readers on living more sustainably?
Lucas: The simplest way to live more sustainably is to reduce consumption. By questioning our needs and extending the life of the products we already have, we can minimize resource use and carbon emissions associated with new products. Although it might seem basic, it’s one of the most effective ways to live more sustainably, as every new product requires resources and generates emissions.
We thank Lucas for sharing his insights into LOVR™ and the innovative work being done at revoltech. LOVR™ is also one of the materials included in WeVux’s Materials Design Map. To discover it and learn more, visit revoltech’s website and follow their Instagram page!
Ph. Jan Scholzel
