What is plant leather?
The plant leather is a type of faux leather made from plant sources. It is considered a substitute for real leather by some people, as it mimics the surface feel of real leather to some extent. There are other types of faux leather materials that use synthetic materials like plastic polymers, but they are beyond the scope of this article. Here, we will focus only on types of faux leather derived from plants. This innovative product is cruelty-free and can be used to make leather accessories, upholstery, and clothing.
In this article, we will discuss plant leather, its types, and more. After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of plant leather, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing between real leather and plant leather.
Table of Contents
Types of plant leather
There are several types of plant leather materials that are partially derived from plants. Here’s the overview:
1.| Pinatex Pineapple leather
Pinatex is a natural, non-woven textile derived from cellulose fibers extracted from pineapple leaves. It offers a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather while maintaining a similar look and feel. You can read about pineapple leather in detail in another article
2.| Desserto Cactus leather
Desserto cactus leather is a sustainable alternative to traditional leather and as the name suggests it is made from the leaves of the nopal cactus, which is native to Mexico. The cactus is grown using organic and circular farming systems, which means that the resources used to grow the cactus are replenished. There is a detailed article about cactus leather by LeatherBlues which you should check
3.| Apple leather
Apple leather is another exciting sustainable alternative to traditional leather. It’s a vegan leather-like material made from leftover apple peels, cores, and other byproducts from the juice and compote industries. You can check our detailed article on apple leather
4.| Banana leather
This is another kind of plant leather that is very special as it uses fibers of nonfruit-bearing banana plants, the stems are often used to extract fibers that would otherwise go to waste as they are considered useless
5.| Cork leather
This plant leather is sourced from the bark of oak trees. Harvesting tree bark is a very old tradition and In fact, removing the outer bark every 9-12 years actually promotes the health of the cork oak and extends its lifespan. The cork bark is then processed into a thin, flexible, and water-resistant material that looks and feels very similar to leather. Cork leather is surprisingly strong and durable, with good resistance to abrasion, tearing, and water damage.
6.| Mushroom leather
Mushroom leather, also known as mycelium leather, derives its name from the fact that it’s made from the root structure of fungi, called mycelium. Mycelium can be grown in controlled environments for commercial use, such as making synthetic leather, which also makes it a sustainable material. You can read more about mushroom leather in our dedicated article
7.| Vegea Grape leather
Vegea grape leather is a unique vegan leather alternative made from waste products leftover from winemaking. Specifically, it utilizes grape skins, stalks, and seeds that would otherwise be discarded by wineries in Northern Italy. These leftovers are processed and mixed with vegetable oils and water-based polyurethane to create a bio-compound that is spread onto an organic cotton backing. It was first produced by the company called Vegea in 2016, the name VEGEA comes from the combination of VEG (Vegan) and GEA (Mother Earth).
How is plant leather made?
As you must have become aware of the fact so for that there are many types of plant leathers and they are all manufactured specifically. However, there is a common practice in making almost all of them except a few like mushroom leather and cork leather, that is they are converted into a fine before getting mixed with resin to form thin sheets of leather-like material. Mainly three steps are involved in making plant leather materials. Here’s the overview:
1.| Raw material preparation
The plant material, like cactus leaves, apple peels, cork bark, or banana stems, undergoes initial processing. This might involve cleaning, drying, grinding, shredding, or separating fibers.
2.| Leather creation
At this stage, the material is converted into thin leather-like sheets. The raw material prepared in the previous step is mixed with polyurethane-based binding agents and pressed onto a cloth or paper backing. In cases of cork and mushroom leather, a different technique is used such as natural compression which involves compressing the material into thin, flexible sheets.
3.| Finishing
The final step which is common to every leather material is the finishing and it involves treatment for properties like water resistance or durability. The material is dyed and finished to achieve the desired color and texture.
Advantages of plant leather
1.| Sustainability
One of the major advantages of producing plant leather is that it is highly sustainable. Plant leather utilizes renewable resources like cactus leaves, apple peels, or mushroom mycelium which will otherwise will go to the waste bin. In addition, it can also help reduce agricultural waste by using byproducts from other industries like the wine-making industry (grape skins and seeds for Vegea grape leather).
2.| Cruelty free
No animals are harmed in the production of plant leather, making it a great alternative for vegans and people who are concerned about that. Some websites label it as an ethical practice but it is really a matter of opinion, I mean leather is just a byproduct of the meat industry
3.| Breathability
Surprisingly, being faux leather, plant leather has some good breathability due to the presence of pores on the surface. Mushroom leather, among all of them, has the best breathability
4.| Lightweight
Unlike real leather, plant leather is often lightweight, making it ideal for certain applications like lightweight footwear and accessories
Disadvantages of plant leather
Well despite having so many advantages, just like any other material on earth it has its own share of disadvantages and some of them are so significant that they way more important to discuss. Here’s the overview:
1.| Durability
One of the major disadvantages of plant leather is its durability. It is nowhere near the real animal skin leather when it comes to durability and strength. They might need more frequent replacement especially when used in harsh conditions but the good news is some of them like mushroom leather are quite strong but it is still behind the traditional leather
2.| PU content
One more disadvantage of making plant leather which is also a significant one is that many plant leathers use a binding agent, often polyurethane (PU), to create a strong and durable sheet material. While PU can improve durability, it raises questions about biodegradability as PU is just a plastic polymer
3.| Cost
Cost is another drawback of using plant leather. Due to the less available materials and newer manufacturing facilities, the cost of plant leather can be higher as compared to the traditional leather
4.| Availability
Due to the limitation in the availability of raw materials and manufacturing plants, plant leather is not as widely available as real leather
The future of plant leather
The demand for plant leather is expected to rise as there is a growing concern about sustainability and the environment. Many fashion houses are incorporating plant leather materials into their products, and people are responding positively. While there are currently some issues with durability and cost, these challenges are being addressed through advancements in technology. Scientists and engineers are discovering new ways to improve materials, and new factories and techniques are being developed to enhance the quality and affordability of plant leather.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when asked about my thoughts on leather and its alternatives, I would say that real leather holds a special charm that cannot be replicated by any artificial material. Leather’s natural essence and the uniqueness of each skin give it an irreplaceable character. While plant leather is a sustainable option, can it replace real leather? In my view, nothing can replace the authenticity of natural leather.
I’ve shared my thoughts and knowledge about cactus leather and tried my best to answer the question “What is plant leather?” However, choosing between real leather and plant leather is ultimately a personal decision.
For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
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