How RÖKONA and AFILIA® Are Redefining the Future of Sustainable Materials

The discussion around sustainable materials often focuses on recycling rates, carbon footprints, or the reduction of harmful chemicals. But true innovation only emerges when sustainability, design, and industrial usability come together at the highest level. This is exactly where AFILIA® by RÖKONA Textilwerk GmbH & Co. KG comes in – winner of the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2024 in the category “Material”.

With AFILIA®, the company from Tübingen has developed a textile alternative to leather that not only impresses visually and haptically, but is also consistently designed for circularity. The material is made from 100 percent recycled polyester, is fully recyclable as a mono-material, and is produced in a particularly resource-efficient way. At the same time, RÖKONA deliberately avoids the use of additional chemicals.

What makes AFILIA® particularly remarkable is the combination of technical functionality and premium aesthetics. The material combines the advantages of advanced warp-knitting technology with the appearance and tactile feel of high-quality nubuck leather. Its characteristic surface texture and soft touch create an authentic leather-like experience – without animal-based materials and without the ecological disadvantages associated with traditional leather production.

AFILIA® was developed at RÖKONA’s headquarters in Tübingen and is manufactured in Europe, reflecting the company’s strong commitment to short supply chains and European value creation. At the same time, the material offers extensive design flexibility. Embossing, printing, and cut-out techniques enable highly individual designs for a wide range of industries and applications.

Originally developed for the automotive sector, AFILIA® meets demanding technical requirements and is suitable for applications such as door panels, roof liners, molded parts, and seating surfaces. However, its potential extends far beyond mobility. In interior design, it can be used for upholstered room dividers, seating furniture, curtains, or acoustic solutions. In fashion applications, the material opens possibilities for bags, shoes, cushions, and many other premium products.

What stands out most is the strategic approach behind the innovation: sustainability is not treated as a compromise, but as a quality feature. AFILIA® demonstrates that environmentally conscious materials no longer have to sacrifice premium design, functionality, or emotional appeal.

Innovations like AFILIA® show why the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award has become one of the world’s leading competitions at the intersection of materials, design, and technology. The award honors solutions that successfully combine technological excellence with sustainability – exactly what AFILIA® by RÖKONA represents.

Become part of the MATERIALICA Award winners community

Are you developing innovative materials, products, or processes with a focus on design, technology, and sustainability?

Then apply now for the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award 2026 in the categories “Material”, “Product”, “Process”, or “CO₂ Efficiency” and present your innovation to an international expert audience. Become part of the MATERIALICA Award winners community as companies like Mercedes-Benz, BASF, SSAB, Ottobock or RÖKONA.

👉 https://www.emove360.com/awards/materialica-award/