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, and belts, the company’s latest introduction. Vegan Virya has received the “PETA-Approved Vegan” certification from PETA India, assuring consumers that the material aligns with their values.
PA Footwear Vice Chair Chinnasami Anbumalar shared on social media, “Now you can buckle up with Mother Nature’s finest! Finally, belts that hold up your pants and your eco-credibility. Wear them, love them, compost them — fashion just went green and giggly!”
When agricultural strengths meet fashion
India is a leading global producer of sugarcane, providing a unique opportunity to utilize sugarcane waste in innovative ways. PETA India suggested that the move towards vegan leather could help India capitalize on its agricultural strengths while meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion options.
“Our mission revolves around the principle of ‘Wealth from Waste,’ a fundamental tenet guiding us towards our vision,” Anbumalar told PETA India.
Several companies are developing alternatives capable of mimicking the strength and soft touch of leather using plant-based sources such as banana or tomato crop waste or temple flowers. Using crop waste helps to create cruelty-free and sustainable options for the fashion industry. PETA India emphasizes that leather and wool are major pollutants in the fashion industry.
“Turning animal skin into garments also requires massive amounts of energy and dangerous chemicals that damage the environment. The 2017 ‘Pulse of the Fashion Industry’ report revealed that leather, silk, and wool are among the most polluting materials in fashion,” PETA India states.
