Australian startup Alt. Leather has introduced what it says is the world’s first fully plant-based leather alternative without the use of plastic. The material is made from natural fibers and agricultural waste and is positioned as an alternative both to traditional leather and to synthetic “vegan” versions based on oil.
According to the company, 10% of the feedstock consists of recycled textile products and cellulose that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. The remaining 90% comes from regenerative plants that are quickly renewable and grown in different regions of the world. The material is undergoing tests for biodegradability and an assessment of its recyclability, which is intended to support a closed-loop production cycle.
The new plant-based leather has been tested for strength, flexibility, wear resistance and color fastness in line with international standards. The first products — bags and shoes — have already been made. The team is now looking for partners among international brands in the fashion, furniture and automotive industries.
Traditional leather is linked to livestock farming, high water use and chemical tanning processes. Synthetic alternatives, which emerged as a more ethical option, are often made from polyurethane and other petroleum-based materials that create new plastic waste. Alt. Leather offers a third path: a material linked neither to animals nor to oil.
