Non-Food

von Holzhausen Ripple Shoe

© von Holzhausen

Von Holzhausen Launches “Ripple Shoe” Made From Biodegradable Liquidplant™ Material

US-based material innovation brand von Holzhausen has unveiled The Ripple Shoe, a high-performance sneaker made without petroleum. The Ripple Shoe is the first footwear made from Liquidplant™, a material developed in-house by von Holzhausen. Created using renewable inputs such as sugar and seeds, the material is said to have the technical performance of premium polyurethane but is plastic-free. It is also biodegradable, recyclable, and entirely plant-based. According to von Holzhausen, Liquidplant™ fits into existing manufacturing pipelines and provides the durability and density required for commercial use. “More than a product” Von Holzhausen’s mission is to replace plastic and leather with plants. The brand has previously focused on direct-to-consumer accessories, but is now shifting toward scalable, enterprise-ready material innovation for fashion, tech, and automotive. Liquidplant™ was …

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Modern Meadow

© Modern Meadow

Modern Meadow to Unveil Leather Alternative Made From Plant-Based Proteins at Global Fashion Summit

US-based biodesign company Modern Meadow has announced that it will showcase its next-generation material, newly branded as INNOVERA™, at Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. Formerly known as BIO-VERA®, the leather alternative will be Modern Meadow’s primary material product going forward. It is made from plant-based proteins, biopolymers, and recycled rubber, achieving more than 80% renewable carbon content. INNOVERA™ is said to replicate the look and feel of collagen found in leather, and is available in various colors, haptics, and finishes. Furthermore, it is claimed to be lightweight and twice as strong as traditional leather. The material does not require special preservation or storage conditions, reducing complexity and costs. It is reportedly adaptable to any standard manufacturing process. According to Modern Meadow, the company’s commercial production …

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VitroLabs Cell Cultivated Leather

© VitroLabs

France’s Faircraft Secures VitroLabs’ Patent Portfolio Through US Asset Acquisition

French biotechnology company Faircraft has acquired key assets from VitroLabs, a California-based firm specializing in the development of lab-grown leather. The acquisition includes a portfolio of 30 patents and expands Faircraft’s intellectual property and technological capabilities in preparation for industrial-scale production. Founded in 2016 in Silicon Valley, VitroLabs was among the first companies to produce viable samples of lab-grown leather targeting the luxury market. Its early research centered on engineering multilayered skin structures and refining cellular cultivation techniques suitable for scalable leather production. Investors in VitroLabs included French luxury conglomerate Kering and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio. Strengthening market position The deal strengthens Faircraft’s position within the in vitro leather sector, consolidating nearly a decade of combined R&D between both companies. Faircraft, founded in 2021, has …

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Cosmetics stock

Image: zhugewala from Pexels

Te Protejo Launches Certification Contest for Cruelty-Free Cosmetics in Latin America

Te Protejo, an organization working to end the use of animal testing in the Latin American cosmetics industry, has launched a competition aiming to increase the presence of cruelty-free products in the region. The contest is taking place for the second consecutive year and will allow four cosmetic brands to access Te Protejo’s certification process completely free of charge, along with other benefits. The call is open to brands from 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a special focus on Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. All companies in the cosmetics, household cleaning, and pet care industries are invited to apply. If successful, they could join the more than 180 brands that have been certified by Te Protejo. “True commitment to animal welfare” The …

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Arda Biomaterials

Brett Cotten and Dr. TJ Mitchell © Arda Biomaterials

Arda Biomaterials Converts Brewery Byproducts into Leather Alternatives with $5.25M Funding Round

Arda Biomaterials, a company specializing in plant-based materials derived from waste proteins, has raised $5.25 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Oyster Bay Venture Capital, with participation from Clean Growth Fund, Kadmos Capital, and Green Angel Ventures. The financing will support the company’s ongoing research and development of its first material innovation, New GrainTM, a leather-like material made from barley proteins sourced from spent grains from breweries and distilleries. The company published the update to its Substack, reporting that the funds will also help it scale its production capabilities and begin the commercialization of New GrainTM, targeting industries such as fashion, automotive, and more. Arda’s strategy is to leverage the large-scale potential of brewery and distillery by-products, using these …

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Under Armour unless collection

© Under Armour

Under Armour and UNLESS Unveil Fully Plant-Based Sportswear Collection

At this year’s Milan Design Week, Under Armour and UNLESS presented a new capsule collection of fully plant-based sportswear. The launch marks the first collaborative project between the athletic brand and UNLESS, a company known for producing garments without synthetic materials or plastic content. The limited-edition collection, which includes hoodies, t-shirts, and shorts, is designed to meet athletic performance standards while being made entirely from regenerative, plant-derived materials. Once worn out, each item can be composted, leaving no plastic residue or synthetic waste behind. The collection was introduced through an installation at Fuorisalone that depicted the full life cycle of the garments, from raw plant inputs to finished products, and eventually to compost. The exhibition aligned with the broader themes of circularity and material innovation …

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Stella Mccartney hydefy

© Stella Mccartney

Hydefy Introduces Fungi-Based Leather Alternative with Stella McCartney’s New Handbag

A new fungi-based textile developed by Hydefy has been launched in the fashion industry through a debut collaboration with luxury designer Stella McCartney. The partnership brings to market a high-performance, sustainable alternative to traditional leather, offering a cruelty-free solution that combines durability and aesthetic appeal. Hydefy’s material is derived from fungi discovered during NASA-backed research in Yellowstone National Park. Through a proprietary fermentation process, Hydefy is created by combining the fungi with sugarcane waste. The result is a versatile, vegan material that is designed to be both environmentally responsible and highly durable. This textile is being marketed as a suitable alternative for use in fashion, automotive, and interior industries, with the capacity for customization and rapid prototyping. Stella McCartney, a long-time advocate for animal-free and …

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Stephanie Downs. Image supplied.

Op Ed: Stephanie Downs – Why Sustainable Fashion is Turning to Farming for Material Innovation

Stephanie Downs, CEO of UNCAGED Innovations, is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and a leading expert in animal-free material alternatives for the fashion and automotive industries. In 2020, she co-founded UNCAGED Innovations with Dr. Xiaokun Wang, pioneering sustainable leather alternatives made from grains at scale. The company is currently developing prototypes for global high-fashion brands and automotive leaders such as Jaguar Land Rover. In this op-ed, Stephanie discusses the growing shift toward bio-based materials in fashion and how the industry is turning to farming for sustainable material innovation. She explores the role of agricultural by-products in creating next-generation alternatives to traditional leather, highlighting the economic opportunities for farmers and the environmental benefits of moving beyond plastic-based vegan materials. Why Sustainable Fashion …

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Vegan Fashion Week

© Vegan Fashion Week

Sustainable Fashion Leaders Gather in LA at Ethical Luxury Summit and Fashion Show

The Ethical Luxury Summit and the 6th Annual Vegan Fashion Week Golden Hour Fashion Show will take place this week in Los Angeles, bringing together industry leaders to discuss sustainability, ethics, and innovation in high-end fashion. The events will feature panel discussions, designer showcases, and a fundraising gala, with a focus on sustainable materials, ethical production, and alternative textiles. Addressing ethics and sustainability in fashion According to Emmanuelle Rienda, founder & president of Vegan Fashion Week, the organisation’s mission is to address both ethical and environmental concerns within the fashion industry. “Vegan fashion is the idea of producing and consuming fashion without harming or using animals. Sadly, animals are still left out of the conversation when it comes to sustainability or the climate emergency,” Rienda …

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Modern Synthesis

© Modern Synthesis

Modern Synthesis Raises $5.5M to Grow High-Performance Biomaterials from Microbes

London-based biotechnology company Modern Synthesis has raised $5.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by Extantia Capital, with additional investments from Artesian and Collaborative Fund. The financing will support the company’s efforts to scale production at its pilot facility and meet growing demand from fashion brands seeking sustainable material alternatives. Fashion brands are expected to face a shortage of 133 million tonnes of low-impact raw materials by 2030 due to increasing regulatory pressure to decarbonize. Modern Synthesis aims to address this gap with its biomaterial technology, which uses nanocellulose—a fibre derived from microbial fermentation—to create alternatives to animal leather, synthetic leather, and plastic-coated textiles. The company’s proprietary process leverages the strength of nanocellulose, which is significantly stronger than steel at the nanofiber level, to …

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Vegan silk brand niLuu

© niLuu

Luxury Vegan Silk Brand niLuu Launches in Saudi Arabia & Qatar

US-based luxury vegan silk brand niLuu has expanded its presence in the Middle East, launching in Saudi Arabia and Qatar for the first time and arriving at a new outlet in the UAE. niLuu first launched in the UAE in 2023, making its debut at Atlantis, the Palm Jumeirah, and Galeries Lafayette in Downtown Dubai. Now, the brand has arrived at Dubai concept store The Edit, along with Rubaiyat Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and Jeddah. Customers can also find niLuu products at Harvey Nichols Doha in Qatar and a temporary pop-up at Westerly Boutique in Riyadh, which will run from February 1 until May 31. Additionally, shipping is now available across the Middle East from the brand’s online store. “The GCC market is very similar …

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© Noel Kinder

Ex-Nike Sustainability Head Joins UNCAGED Innovations to Advance Grain-Based Leather

UNCAGED Innovations, a biomaterials company developing grain-based leather alternatives, has announced the addition of Noel Kinder, Nike’s former Chief Sustainability Officer, to its Board of Directors. With more than two decades of experience at Nike in sustainability and operations, Kinder’s appointment signals UNCAGED’s growing focus on scaling its innovative materials and expanding its global footprint. UNCAGED Innovations is the developer of BioFuze, a technology that produces a sustainable, grain-based alternative to leather by replicating the molecular structure of collagen. The resulting material offers flexibility, strength, and texture similar to traditional leather but avoids the environmental impact associated with animal-derived materials. The company has set its sights on industries such as footwear, which consumes more than 50% of the world’s leather supply. Kinder, who served in …

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Image courtesy of Beyond Leather Materials

Beyond Leather Materials and TAKT Launch Designer Chairs Featuring Vegan Upholstery Made from Apple Waste

Two Danish companies — Beyond Leather Materials and the furniture house TAKT — have partnered to create high-quality furniture that combines Scandinavian design with environmentally friendly materials. After years of collaboration, the companies have finally introduced eight of TAKT’s design chairs upholstered with Leap, Beyond Leather Materials’ vegan-certified leather alternative made from apple waste. The collaboration marks the first time Leap is used in furniture and TAKT’s first vegan upholstery option. “At TAKT, we aim to create furniture that is as good for the planet as for the people, and Leap fits perfectly into that vision,” said Michael Lysemose, Product Developer at TAKT. “We wanted to offer an animal-free option that would still be of high quality and would match with our Design Principles, and …

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Clean Food Group oil

© Clean Food Group

Clean Food Group to Create “Revolutionary” New Raw Materials for Cosmetics Through Transformed Food Waste

UK biotech company Clean Food Group has announced a strategic partnership with cosmetics product developer and manufacturer THG LABS to create groundbreaking raw materials, starting with a low-impact, high-performance oil for use in beauty and personal care products. The collaboration aims to provide the cosmetics industry with more sustainable, effective, and responsible bio-equivalent alternatives to agriculturally intensive ingredients. By transforming food waste into valuable resources, the collaboration aims to reduce the environmental footprint of cosmetics production. The newly announced partnership stems from eight years of pioneering research led by Professor Chris Chuck, Technical Lead at Clean Food Group. The company’s proprietary technology platform uses scalable, non-GMO yeast strains and fermentation processes, utilizing bread waste as a food source to produce sustainable alternatives to conventional oils …

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UGG launches vegan boots in collaboration with Collina Strada

© UGG

First Ever Vegan UGG Boots Launch in Collaboration With Collina Strada

UGG, the Californian brand widely known for its sheepskin boots, has launched the first ever vegan versions of the shoes in collaboration with New York fashion label Collina Strada. The boots are available in a variety of styles and colors, in line with Collina Strada’s reputation for bold, contemporary designs. They include everything from tall ruffle boots to mini platform boots, and are suitable for all genders. The range is made from eco-friendly materials such as sugarcane, TENCEL, and recycled polyester microfiber. While UGG is not specifically marketing the boots as vegan, they have been confirmed to be free of animal-derived materials. UGG joins a range of shoe brands that have launched vegan products in recent years, including Adidas, Allbirds, and Puma. Last year, it …

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vitrolabs_leather

© VitroLabs

Vegan Bio-Based Leathers to Grow by 37.4% Annually Over the Next Decade

The push for sustainable alternatives to animal and plastic leathers has led to a burgeoning market of vegan bio-based leathers. According to a 10-year market forecast by IDTechEx, the vegan bio-based leather industry production capacity will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.4% from 2024 to 2034. Leather is a sought-after material for its durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. However, the report points out that according to UN estimates, animal leather production exceeds 20 billion square feet annually, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Additionally, the tanning process of leather production releases hazardous chemicals and gases, including lead, chromium, arsenic, and carcinogenic arylamine. Meanwhile, vegan leather made from plastics, a common alternative due to its low cost, has environmental issues, including …

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Apple waste for upcycled leather

© Beyond Leather Materials

Leap by Beyond Leather Materials Earns USDA Biobased Certification with 91% of Apple Waste Content

Denmark’s Beyond Leather Materials announces that its alternative to leather Leap has earned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label, showcasing its 91% biobased content. Made from apple waste from European juice and cider production, Leap is an environmentally friendly, next-gen material that is said to deliver a leather-like performance, feel, and touch for use in small leather goods, furniture, home decor, and soon, automotive. As a 100% animal-free material, Leap has also recently earned the Vegan Trademark certified by The Vegan Society. Mikael Eydt, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Leather, shares, “Earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for Leap® with 91% biobased content is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved when we …

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Image courtesy of Arda Biomaterials

Animal-Free Snakeskin Handbag Marks Debut from Upcycled Arda Biomaterials & BEEN London in a Benchmark for Fashion

UK upcycled materials startup Arda Biomaterials and sustainable brand BEEN London announce the launch of their first product: a snakeskin-type handbag crafted with an animal- and plastic-free leather-like material called New Grain. Arda’s New Grain, described as an extraordinary next-generation material, is developed from spent grain from breweries, sourced locally from London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile — once a leather tanning district. This launch marks New Grain’s first use of an external product, paving the way for its commercial scalability. The handbag, a version of BEEN’s bestselling MILLAIS bag, will be part of a future collection that includes wallets, laptop cases, and more bag styles. Genia Mineeva, the founder of BEEN London, emphasised the partnership’s role in pioneering sustainable fashion. She added, “As a brand making premium …

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India’s PA Footwear in collaboration with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, has developed Vegan Virya, a biodegradable leather alternative made from sugarcane bagasse.

© Chinnasami Anbumalar

India’s P A Footwear Unveils Eco-Belts Made With PETA-Approved Sugarcane Leather

In collaboration with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), India’s P A Footwear has developed Vegan Virya, a biodegradable leather alternative made from over 95% plant-based materials, mainly sugarcane bagasse, including 60% agro waste content. P A Footwear is a family-owned business that has significantly grown from producing 500 pairs of shoe uppers daily to having the capability to manufacture 2 million pairs of leather shoes and uppers annually. The company specializes in making stitch-down shoes, catering to a niche market in men’s and children’s footwear. The company employs over 2,200 skilled workers across its six manufacturing plants, including its vegan division in Ranipet, which launched in 2023. The sugarcane leather sheets come in multiple non-fading colors for fashionable bags, sandals, suitcases, …

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Uncaged Innovations closes seed round for leather made from grain

© UNCAGED Innovations

UNCAGED Innovations Raises $5.6M for “World’s First” Sustainable Leather from Grains

New York-based UNCAGED Innovations today announces it has raised an oversubscribed $5.6M Seed investment for its sustainable leather made from grains. The round was co-led by Green Circle Foodtech Ventures and Fall Line Capital, with participation from Ponderosa Ventures, Golden Seeds, and existing investor InMotion Ventures, the investment arm of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). This investment will be used to bring the product to market, increase production, and expand the team. The latest capital follows the company’s 2023 pre-seed round in which UNCAGED secured $2 million. Director and Head of Sustainability at JLR Rossella Cardone commented at the time, “This is in-line with our strategy on the sustainability and provenance of the materials we use. We must embrace new material possibilities, new processes, and new …

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