Vegan Leather
Some people believe that leather is a by-product of the meat industry; we are preventing waste by purchasing it. Yet, people started to realize that the production of leather causes severe environmental issues. Factory farming is extremely dirty and environmentally unfriendly; livestock contributes heavily to greenhouse gasses and methane emissions. And if the leather is chemically tanned, the process involves several chemicals and toxins, which are harmful to our planet and ourselves.
Vegan leather seems to be a more environmentally friendly alternative. Vegan leather is better for animals. It requires no or few potentially toxic substances involved in the chemical tanning process of leather. Generally, the production of vegan leather requires much less water. But we must understand that Vegan leather is NOT necessarily Faux leather!
Say No to Faux Leather
Faux leather is usually made of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyurethane (PU), and Polyester. Fast-fashion labels have widely used PVC and polyurethane leather due to their low price and superficial similarity to genuine animal skins. Still, they are plastic and petroleum-based and thus not eco-friendly. When creating PVC faux leather, the material's main components are released into the air and become pollutants. Faux leather also leaks toxic chemicals into the ground when placed in landfills, it emits harmful gasses when burned in an incinerator; in that case, vegan PVC leather is indeed not that friendly to our environment.
As consumers become increasingly conscious of their fashion choices, the fashion industry is scrambling to switch to more animal-free leather alternatives to retain its share in the quickly shifting market. According to a recent report, the global vegan leather sector expects to reach almost US$90~ billion by 2025. But it isn’t just animal welfare that brands have to consider. Consumers are now demanding sustainable alternatives, which means non-petroleum-based plastic superficial leathers, and new plant-based leathers are in need.
Below are some of the natural vegan leather we pick as sustainable alternatives.
Piñatex®
Piñatex® is a natural leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fiber. The leaves are a by-product of the food industry and would otherwise end up in landfills or be incinerated. The use of this material also creates additional income for the farming communities.
Pinatex was developed by leather goods expert Dr. Carmen Hijosa and inspired by traditional Filipino weaving with the plants' fiber to createcreate a new and innovative non-woven textile with a low environmental footprint and a positive social impact.
As loved by many brands and was first worn on a red carpet by Livia Firth in a Laura Strambi dress to the Met Ball a couple of years ago, this material is one to look out for.
Frumat
Frumat
Hannes Parth is the founder of Frumat, and they are the company behind Apple Leather. Frumat received the Technology and Innovation Award in 2018 for its innovative textile technology.
Apple leather is made from apple waste, discarded from the industrial food industry, and turned into leather-like material, which is PETA-approved vegan. Collecting and recycling this waste and discarded fruits means less waste from the food industry.
Desserto
Desserto is a Cactus-based biomaterial, an alternative to leather developed by Adriano Di Marti company. It is made with young leaves from the prickly pear cactus. These leaves are harvested from organically grown cactus plants and treated organically before being processed.
Desserto cactus vegan leather is partially biodegradable and has the technical specifications required by the fashion, leather goods, furniture, and even automotive industries. This leather replacement means less harm to cows and other animals, minimum water use, and carbon dioxide absorption.
Cork Leather
Cork leather is a sustainable material made from the bark of the cork oak tree. As a textile, it stands out for its high durability and its unique look. Due to its features, such as being scratch-resistant, highly durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain, it is a perfect alternative to animal leather.
Unlike leather, cork is water-resistant and flame resistant, as well as a hypoallergenic material.
Cork is one such material: natural, renewable, and recyclable. It is biodegradable and 100% environmentally friendly. Recognized by its unique aesthetic and the qualities it imprints on products, it's a very interesting alternative to leather and plastics.
Mylo
Mylo is a Mushroom-Based 'Leather' by Bolt Thread that is now a scalable alternative to animal leathers. This leather-like material is comparable to leather in terms of tensile strength, thickness, and breathability.
Mylo is certified bio-based, meaning it's made from predominantly renewable ingredients found in nature. It is a sustainable alternative to leather made from mycelium. It is soft, supple-like leather, yet animal-free.
Because of its suitability for the demands of the apparel and footwear industry, Mylo started supplying their trademarked Fine Mycelium "leather" to luxury brands such as Hermès, amongst other brands.
While some vegan leather substitutes are not entirely biodegradable, Mylo could be 100% biodegradable in its natural form. However when it is made water-resistant, a small amount of plastic is added; this means that the product is not biodegradable, which the company says it is addressing.
Sustainable innovation will continue to play a critical role in the future of retail and product. For fashion and accessories brands, leveraging natural vegan leather material as mentioned above demonstrates their commitment to creating a healthier environment through lower-impact products while also allowing the industry to reimagine iconic pieces in our line through a sustainability lens.