Biotech start-up 3D Bio-Tissues, backed by BSF Enterprise, has showcased a lab-grown leather sample at the Future Fabrics Expo in London. The material is designed to cater to the growing demand for environmentally friendly and animal-free alternative leather products.
The bio-engineered leather has the same structural and genetic properties as traditional leather, but is produced without harming animals. It can be tanned using either traditional methods or modern eco-friendly approaches, resulting in a material with a wide range of colors and appearances.
The tissue-engineered skin was grown from immortalized cells taken from an adult female horse through a painless and ethical process. The cells were cultured in a lab over six weeks without using any additional materials such as plastics or cellulose.
3DBT’s lab-grown leather stands out from other alternatives due to its use of a patented serum-free and animal-free cell culture media supplement, City-mix, which accelerates tissue production while reducing production costs. This means that the final product is made entirely from animal tissue without harming any animals.
The company’s technology also enables novel tanning methods that address environmental concerns associated with current tanning processes. This innovation has potential applications in various industries, including footwear, apparel, handbags, furniture, fashion, automotive, and accessories.
Dr. Che Connon, managing director of BSF Enterprise, expressed enthusiasm for the development: “We are delighted to present this high-quality lab-grown leather, which we believe has the potential to meet the ever-increasing demand for animal-conscious alternative leather products. The product we have unveiled today demonstrates the potential of our tissue engineering technology in solving some of the fashion industry’s greatest issues and we look forward to engaging brands with our technology over the coming days.”
