Why Major Brands Should Embrace Bio-Based Leather Alternatives

Key Takeaways

  • 1. Animal leather and petroleum-based synthetic leather boast a range of benefits but also carry significant environmental and ethical drawbacks.
  • 2. Bio-based leather alternatives aim to replicate the high quality and performance of traditional options whilst being free of animal products, but they often still contain a degree of petroleum-plastics.
  • 3. Brands that adopt 100% bio-based leather (with 0% petroleum-plastics) can significantly reduce their environmental impact, stay ahead of regulatory shifts and meet consumer preferences.
The leather industry is at a pivotal moment. Traditional leather production—whether animal-derived or synthetic—faces mounting criticism for its environmental, social, and ethical impacts. As consumers increasingly demand sustainability and responsibility from the brands they support, the case for bio-based leather alternatives has never been stronger. Here we explore why and how major brands can lead the way with embracing bio-based innovations.

The Environmental Toll of Traditional Leather 

Animal-derived leather is prized for its durability and aesthetic appeal. Whilst the traditional leather industry is not going away, its current production comes at a steep environmental cost:

 

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: According to a 2013 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock farming accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with methane from cattle being a significant contributor.
  • Water Pollution: The tanning process generates large amounts of heavily polluted wastewater. Only a small percentage of leather is vegetable-tanned, leaving the majority reliant on chemical-heavy processes.
  • Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss: Cattle farming is a leading cause of deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, where, according to the WWF, 17% out of a recommended upper limit of 20% has already been deforested.

Synthetic Leather: A Limited Alternative

Synthetic leather, often marketed as “vegan leather”, initially appeared as a more ethical and sustainable option. However, its reliance on petroleum-based materials like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) raises significant concerns:

 

  • Fossil Fuel Dependency: Synthetic leather contributes to the depletion of non-renewable resources and pollution. According to a 2022 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), plastics, including PU and PVC, are responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Microplastic Pollution: During use and disposal, synthetic leathers shed microplastics, which contaminate ecosystems and enter the food chain.
  • End-of-Life Challenges: Most synthetic leathers are not biodegradable, leading to long-term waste in landfills.

 

Bio-based leather is the next generation of sustainable materials—it aims to deliver high performance without the environmental cost of traditional and synthetic leather.

The Case for Bio-Based Leather Alternatives

Bio-based leather is part of the next generation of sustainable materials, offering a viable solution to the challenges posed by traditional and synthetic leathers. These materials, derived from, for example, plants, fungi (mycelium) and/or recycled fibres, combine performance with environmental responsibility.

 

Here’s why we think major brands should make the shift:

 

      1. Significant Environmental Benefits:
        • Lower Carbon Footprint: Bio-based products as a broad category have on average 45% lower emissions than fossil-fuel-derived products. Life-cycle assessment data from other bio-based leather companies has shown, variously, bio-based leather to be 19 times or 80% less impactful than animal leather, and 3.5 times or 21% less impactful than synthetic leather.
        • Resource Efficiency: Unlike cattle farming, which occupies significant global agricultural land, bio-based materials often utilise agricultural by-products or rapidly renewable resources.
        • Reduced Chemical Use: Many bio-based leathers avoid the harmful chemicals used in traditional tanning, protecting workers and ecosystems. At Alt. Leather we avoid tanning completely, instead using 100% plant-derived and bio-based dyes.
      2. Alignment with Consumer Values:
        • In 2018, Yoox Net-a-Porter surveyed 24,000 customers: 72% said social or environmental considerations influenced their purchasing decisions at least some of the time and 58% said having more information about the ethics and sustainability of a product would influence their shopping choices.
        • Bio-based leather alternatives allow brands to align with these values, positioning themselves as leaders in sustainability.
      3. Regulatory Readiness:
      4. Innovation and Branding Opportunities:
        • Partnering with bio-based leather innovators like Alt. Leather allows brands to differentiate their products and tell a compelling sustainability story. Early adopters can become industry leaders, gaining a competitive advantage in a crowded market.

Real-World Examples of Bio-Based Leather Success

Several major brands are already taking steps to remove animal leather from their supply chains for environmental reasons. Companies like Apple, Tesla and Stella McCartney have publicly committed to eliminating traditional leather from their products. These decisions reflect a growing recognition of the environmental and ethical challenges associated with animal and synthetic leather and a commitment to align with consumer demand for sustainable solutions.

 

These initiatives demonstrate how forward-thinking companies can lead the industry toward a more sustainable and innovative future.

The Business Case for Bio-Based Leather

The transition to bio-based leather is not just an environmental imperative; it’s a business opportunity. Brands that adopt these materials can:

 

  • Reduce their carbon footprint and environmental impact.
  • Meet and exceed consumer expectations for sustainable products.
  • Gain a competitive edge in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.

 

At Alt. Leather, we’re leading the way with 100% bio-based, petroleum-plastic-free leather alternatives. Our materials are designed to be circular, low-impact and beautiful—offering a sustainable future without compromising on quality or performance.

The leather industry is ripe for disruption, and bio-based materials are key to a more sustainable future. By shifting away from traditional and petroleum-based synthetic leather, major brands can drive positive change while unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation.

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