Apple leather: a new vegan leather from apple waste

Pamela Apple Leather Vegan Boxy Crossbody Bag by Ashoka Paris

Daisy Apple Leather Vegan Heeled Cowboy Boots by Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather

Daphne Apple Leather Vegan Bucket Bag by Luxtra

Nowadays, being mindful of the production of your clothes is more and more important. According to cry to the innocent website, every year more than 100 million animals are killed for their fur, leather or wool.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we are more looking into the way of spending our money and the impact of our dollar on the environment. Take this article from bbc.com, the way consumer chooses their products dramatically evolved since the start of the pandemic. They report a 60% change towards more sustainable and ethical products.

Looking for more environmentally friendly consumption, some options come directly to us like less plastic, sustainable packaging, second hand, vegan and cruelty free.

If you have been following this blog, you have, for sure, seen our article on the impact of our waste or the impact of fast fashion on the environment. The fashion industry needs innovations to help propose more eco-friendly products to consumers. Leather is one of the top fabric in the fashion industry but is also one of the most polutting. According to Hungertv, the space needed to raise animals mainly for the leather purpose represents 70% of the Amazon rainforest. PETA stated that 20 to 50% of the workers in leather tannery are at more risk of cancer.

However new leather innovations are developed to tackle this environmental issue and propose new leather fabric made from fruits.

I already reviewed one type of new leather which is Pinatex. It is a leather made out of pineapple harvest waste. However, it is coated in petroleum leading to a material which is more friendly than silk or cotton but yet still not the best for the environment.

Apple waste:

Waste is one of the main issues that needs to be looked at.

Apples are widely popular and are used for all type or recipes. You can find them in dessert, juices, compotes and even as a snack. Due to the high usage of pesticide to offer “perfect” apples, a lot of us have been raised to take off the skin of the apple. In the meantime, juice companies comprise apples to have a perfect apple juice. Out of this press comes a solid material called pomace. According to a research done by the FAO, it is estimated that each year 3.7 trillions apples are thrown away.

You might think that because they are biodegradable we should not mind too much. However when they are thrown away, then, they are sent to landfills. Mixed with all types of trash and without enough oxygen, methane is created which impact negatively directly the environment.

So how is apple leather produced?

Using the waste of the juice and compote industry, apple leather is born as an innovative bio-based material.However, they are able to create every type of thickness texture with it. The apple leather nowadays created is 50% of apple waste and 50% of PU (polyurethane).Every type of thickness is achievable as well as a high range of colouring leading to impressive and versatile products.

Here is Frumat CEO talking about the idea and the production.