Lamborghini speeds up recycling and upcycling

Sustainability is now a mantra for most automakers and Italian super sports car manufacturer Lamborghini is no different. Sustainability is a pillar of Automobili Lamborghini’s corporate strategy. Resource-efficient upcycling and recycling play a particularly important role in this.

The Italian super sports car manufacturer helps conserve natural resources and avoid CO2 emissions that would otherwise accrue with the manufacture of these products. Its environmental management also works in accordance with a continual improvement process. In 2009, Lamborghini was certified as compliant with the environmental management standard ISO 14001 for the first time. This international norm represents a globally accepted and applied standard for environmental management systems. In the same year, the first upcycling project got started at the plant in Sant’Agata Bolognese – and several projects have been added since then.

Lamborghini’s environmental policy is an integral part of its long-term business activities. Its holistic vision follows a 360-degree approach. For instance, the plant has been certified as CO2 neutral since 2015. In 2021, half of all hazardous waste from production was recycled. Instead of disposing of it, residual materials are transformed into new resources and products at Lamborghini.

Converting trash into leather accessories
When it comes to upcycling, Lamborghini uses leather that hasn’t passed quality controls, as well as waste that can’t be used for vehicles because it has small natural defects or its size is insufficient.

As part of its Upcycled Leather Project, this material is processed into small, personalized leather goods and accessories in collaboration with the Cooperativa Cartiera in Marzabotto, near Bologna. The project’s first four products include a tote bag, a smartphone case, a keychain and a credit card case. They’re available at lamborghinistore.com and authorized dealers, and they bear both the Lamborghini logo and the inscription ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’.

Development work as a recycling mantra
Automobili Lamborghini frequently uses carbon-fibre and composite materials in the production of its vehicles. The super sports car manufacturer from Sant’Agata Bolognese uses the waste that accrues in the production of these refined materials for research and development activities. In the process, the company has reclaimed around 27 tons of waste that otherwise would not have been able to be used since 2020.

As an alternative to recycling, the material is also donated to educational institutions like the Experis Academy in Fornovo di Taro and university associations like Bologna Motorsport. There, the materials are reused for the purpose of educating new technicians and engineers. This kind of material recycling is advanced alongside the development of the smaller production of gadgets and accessories for Lamborghini customers and events.