TAKT x Beyond Leather Materials: Introducing Animal-Free Upholstery for Iconic Danish Furniture Brand

Based in the heart of Copenhagen, TAKT is a renowned Danish furniture brand celebrated for its timeless Scandinavian aesthetic, where clean lines, natural textures, and impeccable craftsmanship come together. Known for their commitment to sustainability and transparency, TAKT creates high-quality, Ecolabel certified furniture with a focus on reducing environmental impact.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Lysemose, Product Developer at TAKT, to explore the inspiration behind our latest collaboration to the future of next-generation materials. Surrounded by TAKT’s crafted pieces, Michael shared insights into what makes Leap® a game-changer for both TAKT and the furniture design industry.

So, let's dive into the conversation right away.
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‍After two years of long conversations, what inspired you to embrace Leap®?
''We’re always seeking to reduce the environmental footprint of our furniture. By assessing the CO2eq of all our products, we become aware of what materials and processes cause the most significant CO2eq impact – leather being one of them. So, it has been our focus point, to look for an alternative that would both lower the CO2eq impact and not compromise the aesthetics and quality of our furniture.''

Was this decision influenced by industry trends, or was it a natural decision for TAKT?
''The decision to look for an alternative was easy to make, but finding the right alternative with the right properties was the real challenge. When we first discovered Beyond Leather and the work you were doing, we saw the potential. During the time we initially started the dialogue, the material was not yet suitable for furniture and improvements had to be made. We have discussed both the visual and physical properties we were looking for, and with the hard work of your team, the material now fulfills all our criteria.''
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‍As with any new material, were there any unexpected surprises during the development process?
''For us, it was a smooth and collaborative journey. We provided consistent feedback to help refine Leap® to meet our needs, and Beyond Leather rose to the challenge, addressing each of our criteria with determination and creativity.''

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‍Many brands hesitate to adopt new materials. What would you say to manufacturers considering a shift from traditional leather to alternatives like Leap®?
''So are we, but when alternatives have lower environmental impact, match the properties of leather and are aesthetically pleasing then it would be silly not to take the step. We all have a responsibility to lower our environmental impact. Sometimes the industry needs to nudge the consumers into making better choices - other times, it is the consumers that push in the right direction. Let’s see what the case with Leap® will be.''
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‍Transparency and environmental accountability are central to TAKT’s philosophy. How important was it for Leap® to hold certifications like the EU Ecolabel?'
'For us this has been crucial. All of our furniture is granted the EU Ecolabel and we did not want to compromise on this. We are transparent and honest in our communication and third-party certifications help us validate and substantiate our statements. Luckily, we have experienced a like-minded attitude to this from your team.''

‍Cost is always a consideration. How does Leap® compare to traditional materials like leather in terms of pricing?
‍''While Leap® is priced higher per square meter than the leather we typically use, the scrap rate in production is significantly lower. So, with that in mind, the material can definitely compete with leather in pricing.''

‍Leap® is made with apple waste, which might lead some to question its durability. How does it compare to traditional leather in terms of performance and workability?''
‍One of the criteria for us was that the material fulfilled the strength and durability requirements for use on furniture, which it fully does. The look and feel is much like leather once applied. The version we use has stiffness to it due to the textile backing material, which was chosen for its strength and ability to help the material regain its shape after people sit on the chair. In our current collection of upholstered furniture Leap® works on all but one product.'' 

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‍Do you believe these next-generation materials will play a significant role in shaping the future of furniture design?
''I am sure that next-gen materials have an important role to play and that we will see more next-gen materials used in furniture design alongside more traditional materials. For us at TAKT, the use of next-gen materials is meaningful when they reduce the environmental impact, are aesthetically pleasing and have good physical properties.''

And, just out of curiosity, do you see potential to expand the use of Leap® to future designs in your collection?
''Yes, absolutely. We see Leap® as a part of our material library now and look forward to using it in future products as well.''

Experience Leap® in Action

TAKT’s chairs, now featuring Leap® upholstery, are paving the way for a new era in furniture - beautiful, thoughtfully designed pieces. If you’re a furniture brand looking to adopt material alternatives in your furniture designs that don’t compromise on quality, take a look at TAKT's collection to see how Leap® looks in action. You can also discover more about Leap® at Beyond Leather Materials or reach out directly to us, we’d love to help you take the next step.