GenPhoenix

Gen Phoenix (formerly “ELeather”) is a UK-based company that recycles leather waste. While the company’s product features up to 77% recycled content, including leather and recycled plastics, it also contains virgin plastics which Gen Phoenix aims to phase out completely. Gen Phoenix’s target markets include aviation, automotive, public transport, public spaces, footwear, and lifestyle applications. In 2020, the company launched “Essence,” an ELeather variant aimed at the transportation market.

As of March 2024, the company reports diverting over 9,000 tons of leather from landfills and is completely powered by renewable electricity and recycles 95% of water used. Compared to traditional leather, Gen Phoenix production claims to save over 55% of the natural resources, such as water and land used, and involves more than 60% lower CO2 emissions. 

As of March 2024, Gen Phoenix operates two factories in Peterborough. Its main manufacturing plant can produce 6 million sq m of sustainable leather per year. As of the same period, the company's products were used in over 1 million pairs of shoes, 1.5 million bus seats, 50,000+ airport terminal seats, 500,000+ train seats, and over 4 million seat covers.

Key customers and partnerships

As of November 2023, the company has over 250 partnerships in the transportation industry covering the airline, rail, and bus segments and is working to build new partnerships in the automotive interior space. As of the same period, the company’s products are used in over four million mass transportation seat covers and by 200+ airlines. In June 2023, Gen Phoenix partnered with Axil Integrated Services to manage any waste at its two sites in Peterborough.

Funding and financials

In March 2023, the company received USD 18 million in Series B funding led by Material Impact to support the company’s expansion into consumer-facing luxury fashion and footwear segments.