News Release
March 8, 2009

The Big E-Shoe
Tesco to sell UK’s first E-Leather shoes

8 March, 2009:  Tesco today announced that it will be the first UK retailer to stock shoes made from eco-friendly E-Leather.

The supermarket will offer women’s footwear made from the revolutionary E-Leather for just £12 a pair from today. Tesco believes the shoe’s eco-friendly credentials and pocket-friendly price will prove a hit with consumers looking to stay green on a budget.

E-Leather is ‘nature re-engineered’ and is manufactured using discarded leather from tanneries. Off-cuts are ground into fibres, then combined with a textile core and rolled to form a leather composite. The resulting material comprises 54-83% recycled leather and is practically indistinguishable from good quality traditional leather. The manufacturing process also uses fewer chemicals and recycles 95% of the water used.

The shoes’ launch comes hot on the heels of Tesco’s participation at the launch of DEFRA’s (Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs) Sustainable Clothing Action Plan. Unveiled on February 20th as part of London Fashion Week, the initiative aims to improve the ethical and environmental impact of the clothing industry by focusing on areas such as recycling, responsible sourcing of materials and reducing packaging.

The shoes will initially be available in black in a women’s court shoe style, suitable for work wear.

Abi Rushton, Ethical & Sustainable Sourcing Manager at Tesco, commented: “Tesco is delighted to be the first retailer to offer this innovative product, as it means our customers can do their bit for the environment without compromising on quality or price. Whichever way you look at it, these shoes will not cost the earth.”

Chris McBean, CEO of E-Leather stated: “It’s great to see Tesco adopting E-Leather and pioneering its use for women’s footwear. The potential environmental benefits are huge across all footwear and leather goods products.”

Notes to editors
Women’s E-Leather shoes are available, priced at £12 per pair, from Tesco stores nationwide.

About E-Leather
E-Leather Ltd produces a range of engineered high performance materials following 10 years of significant investment.
E-leather's products have a unique blend of leather and textile properties that meet demanding requirements for shoe uppers, automotive, furniture, aircraft seating and leather goods. Its prime component is leather fibre, which is intimately 're-woven' and finished so it is practically indistinguishable from good quality traditional leather. It is highly consistent, has excellent physical properties and is about half the weight. Supply in rolls reduces cutting wastage to around 5% compared to 18-40% for natural hides.

The patented process combines the most modern leather and textile technologies, and produces rolls 1.4 m wide and 35 m length. Smaller length rolls can be supplied to customers' requirements. Production began in September 2006 from the E-Leather premises in Peterborough, UK.

About Tesco
Tesco Corporate & Legal Affairs, New Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Herts, EN8 9SL.  Telephone: 01992 644 645   Fax: 01992 644 525 http://www.tesco.com/corporate.

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