Vegan Leather: Plant-Based Fabrics for Sustainable Fashion, Part 2 of 2

In Part 1, we showcased how plant-based fabrics from cacti and mangoes can be made into vegan leather. Nature and innovation offer even more surprises. Some of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day have parts that usually go to waste, but creative minds can also transform them into beautiful vegan leather materials.

“Every year over 2.5 million tons of pineapples are grown in the Philippines, while the fruit is packaged to feed people all over the world. Pineapple leaves are left behind. For every ton of pineapples harvested, three tons of leaves are wasted. And when left to rot it could create methane emissions over 20 times more harmful than CO2. To make a change, Dole, one of the largest producers of pineapples in the world, partnered with Ananas Anam, to produce Piñatex, a vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable leather alternative made from the fiber of pineapple leaves that would otherwise go to waste.” Over 200 brands in more than 80 countries now use Piñatex to create a variety of products for shoes, bags, and clothing, to furniture and home accessories.

Dr. Dan Widmaier discovered that mushrooms have an amazing root network called mycelium that could become leather-like material. He founded Bolt Threads, a biotechnology company in California, United States, to develop this innovation. His work led to the creation of Mylo, a strong and flexible vegan leather. The farms use renewable energy, and any leftover growing material is composted, making the production process even more sustainable. Mylo is now being used by major fashion brands to create consumer products, including shoes, bags, and other fashion accessories.