Presented as an ecological alternative to leather, “Finewoven” ultimately did not convince Apple, which reportedly stopped its production.
End of game for Finewoven, named after this material presented as more ecological, and which came to replace leather iPhone cases with the arrival of the iPhone 15 in fall 2023.
Significant sustainability issues
According to information collected by Kosutami, a well-known informant in the industry, Apple has decided to stop the production of cases and more generally accessories using this material from its suppliers. In question, durability problems, while it was presented – at the marketing level – as a more ecological way to protect your device.
Called “fine weaving” in France, this material is made of plastic, but is nevertheless different from the imitation leather that can be found commercially. Apple is keeping the way it makes the accessories, but it describes them as “made from durable micro-twill.” They offer a soft velvet feel” and are “designed with respect for the environment”, adds the company. 68% of the components are post-consumer recycled materials.
But as it stands, the results were not as good as expected according to buyers, and even in the Apple Store, where we could see large traces of scratches and marked wear, only a few weeks after receipt. An observation which prompted Amazon to briefly display a warning message indicating that “fine weave” cases were “frequently returned”.
Kosutami indicates that Apple is now working on the development of a new material, which will not be leather, always with the ambition of an ecological message.
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