Bucha Bio has found a solution to plastic based vegan leather, and it’s called bacterial nanocellulose.
Instead of relying on plastic sourced from fossil-fuels, nanocellulose is made from a complex of cellulose fibres. Several layers of these fibres join to produce a long-lasting and flexible fabric that resists tearing and ripping. The nanocellulose fabric is tinted with algae based dye, coated with plant based biopolymers, and lined with a cotton canvas to transform it into “leather”.
This fabric is much more sustainable, and completely biodegradable, while maintaining the same properties as animal leather, according to Bucha Bio. The new vegan leather can also be modified to have a range of different textures and colours.
While Bucha Bio is not the first company to endeavour in making textiles sourced from bacterial nanocellulose, it says they are the first to do it successfully. The company is able to grow biomaterials in just 22 days.
Recently, Bucha Bio has collaborated with London-based custom designer Frecustoms to recreate two of the brand’s famous sneaker designs. The company has also begun partnering with brands in various industries to help them develop animal-free versions of their products.
Projected to be worth $89.6 billion by 2025, it’s safe to say that the vegan leather industry is rapidly growing. However, the traditional leather industry has deemed it unsustainable do to the reliance on plastics. But Bucha Bio is one of many companies proving that vegan leather production doesn’t have to depend on fossil fuels.
“Our team of scientists and designers are incredibly devoted to this mission, and we’re proud to finally be able to release the first of many biomaterial–based applications,” said Zimri Hinshaw, Founder and CEO of Bucha Bio. “We’re collaborating closely with major brands and prototyping products from footwear to luxury automotive interiors.”
