The materials we use matter, not just in how they perform, but also in where they come from. Alt. Leather is made from 100% bio-based materials, carefully selected from agricultural byproducts and regenerative plant-based ingredients. This means to create our leather, we’re not extracting virgin resources or tapping into supply chains that are already under strain. 

And yes, when we say 100% bio-based, that means no petrochemical plastics whatsoever, see #2. 

By repurposing what would otherwise be waste or overlooked byproducts, we’re able to reduce the overall environmental footprint of our material. It’s a circular approach: we’re avoiding unnecessary extraction while closing the loop by giving new life to existing, renewable inputs.

One of the problems with conventional and even many partially bio-based leathers is their dependence on petroleum-based plastics. Contrary to common sense, the majority of animal leathers even contain petroleum-plastics for durability. These plastics contribute to the exhaustion of finite, non-renewable fossil fuels, a process known as abiotic depletion. Whether it’s PU (polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or other synthetic components, most kinds of leather likely contain it.

Alt. Leather is different. We use zero petroleum plastics. Even our topcoat resin is bio-based. By eliminating fossil fuels from our process, we drastically cut our carbon emissions and don’t support an industry that’s central to climate change. Since day one, our commitment to being fossil-free has not wavered, and now we’re one of only a handful of innovators that have achieved this feat.

Leather represents a small but significant part of the animal agriculture profit margin. And whether we like it or not, animal agriculture is now one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution and ecosystem degradation. Furthermore, the industry’s global emissions are set to increase by 50% by 2030.  Recent investigations also bring into question the ethical and social integrity of leather production.

Alt. Leather’s materials contain zero animal products. By bypassing animal agriculture altogether, we avoid a host of complicated issues. Our bio-based material is cruelty-free, offering a premium leather alternative that aligns with both environmental and ethical values.

Designing a sustainable material isn’t just about what goes into it, it’s also about what’s left behind. Every year, 1.92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced. From sourcing to production to cutting room floors, Alt. Leather is being engineered to reduce waste at every stage. In the future, our material will come in rolls, rather than sheets or animal-shaped hides. This alone makes a big difference by maximising available pattern-cutting space.

We’ve carefully evaluated our processes to minimise emissions, water use and material offcuts. The result is our highly considered, low-impact leather alternative that avoids compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Sustainability includes people, too. That’s why Alt. Leather is ethically made in Melbourne, where we can ensure the highest standards of workplace safety, fair wages and responsible manufacturing practices. Our production process uses only safe, bio-derived ingredients, keeping both our team and the planet healthy.

Unlike many materials that are outsourced or produced in opaque supply chains, we take pride in knowing who makes our material and how it’s made. Health risks like cancer, respiratory disease and perpetration-induced traumatic stress (PITS) are common among leather workers, and PVC has been officially labelled a carcinogen. We’re building a transparent and traceable system from the ground up to ensure accountability to our partners and end consumers.