Plant-Based Leather Alternative Contains Zero Plastics

Alt. Leather, a startup based in Melbourne, Australia, has designed an entirely eco-based leather alternative made from natural fibers and agricultural waste that provides an animal-free option using zero plastics.

The new material looks and feels like leather and is meant to replace conventional leather products used in the footwear, fashion, upholstery and automotive industries, a press release from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) said.

“Our material scientists have developed an innovative formula that meets global ISO standards for strength, abrasion resistance, flexibility and colour fastness,” Alt. Leather said on its website. “10% of our ingredients are upcycled from textiles and cellulose destined for landfill or incineration. 100% of our ingredients are derived from regenerative plants available in abundance globally. Designed with end-of-life in mind, we are currently testing the degradability and recyclability of our material.”

The leather substitute is designed to be “a high-performance yet sustainable and circular solution” to lower the environmental impact of traditional leather production.

“Every ingredient we choose is carefully considered to ensure that we are tapping into regenerative and abundant resources globally. Polysaccharides like cellulose and starches, recycled and natural fibres, and plant-derived resins are all part of our solution. We have screened thousands of plant-based ingredient combinations to develop our world-first technology,” Alt. Leather said.

Founded by Tina Funder, Alt. Leather identified a market gap for alternatives to synthetic and animal leathers. But the startup lacked access to the specialized equipment it needed to refine its material production processes, so it contacted CSIRO for help.

“Tina saw an opportunity to tap into Australia’s abundance of regenerative plants and leading research facilities to transform the leather industry,” the press release said. “The team began by testing their material on small-scale extruders, machines that shape and form material by forcing it through a mould. Once the material performed well, they moved to a larger extruder, which allowed them to test the feasibility of scaling up production.”

Funder explained that these trials were essential to determine the best processing methods.

“The structured approach of Kick-Start allowed us to test our material in a real-world setting and confirm that it could be scaled up,” Funder said in the press release.

Through CSIRO’s India Australia RISE Accelerator program and Circular Economy cohort, Alt. Leather was able to gain direct access to Indian manufacturers Chennai and Noida, where their footwear and handbags were produced. They were also able to get one-on-one support from industry experts and program facilitators in India and Australia.

“For Alt. Leather, this support has been pivotal in unlocking the commercial readiness of their sustainable, circular solution – an essential alternative as businesses face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact,” the press release said.

Alt. Leather is working to improve the performance and composition of their material through regular formulation testing. It is also looking at partnering with international and Australian brands that want to incorporate a sustainable leather alternative into their products.

“We’ve learned how to navigate international supply chains and manufacturing landscapes, positioning us well for global expansion,” Funder added.