“Alt. Leather: A Sustainable Leather Alternative Mimicking the 3D Network Structure of Animal Leather”

Alt. Leather, a startup based in Melbourne, Australia, has made waves in the fashion and automotive industries with its innovative eco-friendly leather alternative. This new material, made from natural fibers and agricultural waste, provides a sustainable and animal-free option that eliminates the use of plastics.

According to a press release from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Alt. Leather’s alternative leather mimics the look and feel of traditional leather while meeting global ISO standards for strength, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and color fastness. The company sources 10% of its ingredients from upcycled textiles and cellulose that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators, with the remaining 90% derived from regenerative plants available globally.

Alt. Leather’s leather substitute is designed to be a high-performance, sustainable, and circular solution to reduce the environmental impact of traditional leather production. The company’s founder, Tina Funder, identified a market need for alternatives to synthetic and animal leathers and sought help from CSIRO to refine the material production processes.

Through CSIRO’s India Australia RISE Accelerator program and Circular Economy cohort, Alt. Leather gained access to Indian manufacturers in Chennai and Noida, where their footwear and handbags are produced. The company also received support from industry experts and program facilitators in India and Australia to enhance their sustainable leather alternative.

Alt. Leather is continuously improving the performance and composition of its material through formulation testing and is exploring partnerships with international and Australian brands looking to incorporate sustainable alternatives into their products. With a focus on global expansion, Alt. Leather is poised to make a significant impact on the fashion and automotive industries with its eco-friendly leather alternative.

Overall, Alt. Leather’s innovative approach to sustainable fashion and materials showcases the potential for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional products, paving the way for a more environmentally conscious future in the fashion industry.