Accep­tance of ecolo­gical mate­rials using the example of leather substitute

Due to its specific proper­ties and posi­tive image (high quality and tradi­tion), leather is a popular mate­rial that is often used in the premium segment. Although leather consists of a natural raw mate­rial, its manu­fac­ture is critical from an ecolo­gical and health point of view. The same applies to synthetic substi­tutes. Plant-based alter­na­tives are ther­e­fore being used more and more frequently: Quali­ta­tive studies show that the plant-based leather substi­tutes deve­loped to date are far infe­rior to leather in terms of sensory percep­tion, appearance and quality impres­sion and are posi­tio­ning them­selves as a ​„niche product“ for the vegan commu­nity. A further inves­ti­ga­tion shows that there is an inte­rest in society for envi­ron­men­tally friendly products. However, this inte­rest does not mean that a purchase or an accep­tance goes hand in hand. Ther­e­fore the disser­ta­tion examines the question:

Which requi­re­ments for an ecolo­gical leather alter­na­tive have to be fulfilled to be accepted by the user?

With the help of accep­tance models as well as studies on mate­rial percep­tion and effects, the requi­re­ments are deter­mined. The resul­ting accep­tance model should be trans­ferable to other mate­rials to support mate­rial deve­lo­pers and desi­gners in the deve­lo­p­ment process.