Emerging Eco-Friendly Materials: Lab-Grown Hides and Shrooms Set to Revolutionize the Leather Industry

Cultivated skins, fungi, and bamboo could reduce CO2 emissions compared to traditional leather

According to a recent study by research company IDTechEx, materials such as lab-grown hides, mushrooms, and bamboo might offer a more eco-friendly option than conventional leather derived from animal skins, although they might still need further refinement.

According to the report, materials derived from plants and mycelium (fungi) are garnering significant attention as alternatives to leather. These options may offer a more sustainable choice compared to traditional animal leather, which is linked to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and extensive land use for cattle rearing, the report highlights.

Vegetable-based leather might be produced using various materials such as apple peels, pineapple leaves, cacti, grapes, and bamboo. The key hurdles to turning it into a practical substitute for traditional leather involve lowering the amount of plastic used and enhancing its longevity.

Mercedes Vision EQXX Electric Vehicle Prototype

The report also highlights mycelial leather, derived from the filamentous root structures of fungi. This material is formed by interlacing these threads into a mat that can be easily tailored. Its benefits are notable, including minimal water and energy consumption, with the added advantage of cultivating the raw material and manufacturing the leather in the same location.

Automobile manufacturers are exploring the use of mushrooms in their designs. Both the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX and the Cadillac Sollei EV prototypes have incorporated mycelium into their interior fabric. However, neither model is slated for mass production.

According to the report, another alternative being explored is the creation of materials through the fermentation of microorganisms and cultures from animal skin cells. However, this technology is still in its initial phases and the end product presently includes some plastic, the report points out. Additionally, since it involves animal skin cells, the resulting leather does not qualify as vegan. Despite this, it could significantly lower emissions compared to conventional leather production.

Cadillac Sollei Design Concept

Automobile manufacturers are increasingly focusing on using eco-friendly materials to complement their efforts in lowering emissions from vehicle engines. Volkswagen is developing an artificial leather derived from hemp, while NASCAR has introduced body panels made of flax for its prototype electric race car.

The leather sector is resisting these claims. An industry association contends that opting for leather in electric vehicles reduces their carbon emissions, reasoning that since cattle are primarily bred for food, utilizing their hides for leather represents a form of recycling otherwise discarded materials. However, this rationale can be seen as much as a critique of meat consumption as it is of using artificial leather alternatives.

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