After years spent in researching vegan materials, Wood textile is the latest addition to O2 Monde entirely new class of premium, eco-friendly, non-animal material.
The Wood Collection is made from natural ash and natural walnut veneers from Nuo, an Italian, bio-fabric manufacturer, dedicated to providing sustainable leather alternatives. Ash is one of the most valuable deciduous trees and is found in riparian forests and along streams and rivers. Walnut, which belongs to the noble deciduous woods, is known for its historical use for high-quality furniture and objects in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Using advanced techniques, the thin veneer wood is made flexible by sanding, backing a textile and finally by laser cutting the veneer surface. The flexibility in this innovative, cruelty-free material makes it a perfect alternative to traditional leathers. The laser cut veneer adds a subtle yet interesting texture to the collection, which consists of three new sneakers of the iconic Greta, Asha and Shalvi, also available in other vegan materials.
The processed wood comes exclusively from sustainable forestry which is managed ethically and with respect for the whole ecosystem. This also means that the origin of wood can be traced at any time. This innovative material reduces the kg CO² emitted into the atmosphere by about 60% compared to a square meter of leather. Which makes the Wood not only 100% animal free but also an environmentally friendly alternative. 
Mirco Scoccia, founder of O2 Monde said: “I wanted to launch something special for this year’s Earth Month…the wood-non-leather is a new category of material that encapsulates O2 Monde’s quality and aesthetic standards with our desire to innovate, leveraging the Made in Italy traditional skills and the know-how to create for an evolving future."
The O2 Monde Wood Collection had been showcased at the 2021 Motor Show in Munich (Germany) during the world premiere of the all-new Renault Megane E-Tech 100% electric car. The new high-tech vehicle features the Nuo real wood material in its interiors, too.
