Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has opened a 75,000 sq. ft facility in Glasgow to design and manufacture BioPRO, its protein-based, recoverable moulded foam. The new site marks a significant investment in the Group’s sustainable interior-materials innovation for multiple transportation sectors, and will enable its Bridge of Weir Leather brand, a premium automotive leather provider, to scale up BioFoam production for global car makers. Bridge of Weir’s leather continues to be chosen by luxury automotive manufacturers like Aston Martin, McLaren, JLR and Polestar.
The Glasgow building, which has been associated with SLG for more than 150 years, has been restored and transformed into a state-of-the-art production site and engineering hub. The building will play a key role in the production of BioPRO, a 20 per cent protein-content by-product of SLG’s manufacturing process, which is formulated to replace harmful chemicals such as melamine, bromine, titanium phosphate, graphite and PFAS.
The foam supports automotive manufacturers in reducing fossil-derived content, improving circularity and lowering life‑cycle impact. The protein-based BioPRO is a recoverable, truly circular and sustainable material. At the end of a foam’s life in a car, the material can be recovered through an acidolysis process, creating future potential for its constituent elements to be reused.
It also offers enhanced flexibility for interior development, allowing seat properties and comfort levels to be fully tailored. BioPRO’s engineered consistency and customisable comfort offer greater design freedom to premium and performance-led brands seeking differentiation within the cabin. Each foam is moulded to an exact specification, delivering a precise fit and eliminating the material waste associated with conventional cut foams, which often require multiple parts and increase overall weight.
Originally launched for the aviation sector by Muirhead, sister company within SLG, BioPRO has already been recognised on the global stage with a nomination for the Earthshot Prize. Its introduction into automotive reinforces SLG’s leadership in responsible interior materials.
Commenting on the development, Scottish Leather Group CEO Nicholas Muirhead, said “OThis investment not only strengthens our manufacturing operations but also creates opportunities within the local community and secures the future of this historic building. For decades, we have been proud to support our automotive partners as they work to reduce the environmental impact of their interiors. Following on from new tanning technologies that we introduced in 2024, BioPRO is the next step in sustainable seating materials and producing it in a facility shaped by more than 150 years of manufacturing heritage feels fitting.”
Originally a textile factory, the building was transformed into a specialist tannery in 1870, when Andrew Muirhead & Son (now known as Muirhead) began operations on the Dunn Street site. Following the consolidation of Muirhead’s leather manufacturing at its main Bridge of Weir site in recent years, the vacant Glasgow building was chosen as the ideal location for the new BioPRO production facility.
The original factory façade has been refurbished, with the character of the existing building preserved and complemented by a series of functional, modern upgrades to aid sustainability.