Biobased Scandinavian non-animal leather-like material based on forest and food side streams 2

Purpose and goal:

To further develop material by optimizing the composition of the binder to tailor physical properties etc., and to simplify the processing steps to facilitate upscaling. Material suppliers will valorize their side stream, production partners will test new materials and try to adapt their current set-up for novel materials, and retailers will have a chance to create demonstrators at their facilities that will increase chances of commercialization of our product, giving all opportunity to drive the transition towards more sustainable solutions. We aim for TRL 6, MRL 4, SRL 4.

Expected results and effects:

The expected result is a material that can be considered a prospective leather alternative with optimal mechanical and barrier properties suitable for the applications in the fashion industry, for example: wallets, bags, belts, watch straps, shoes, etc. Raw materials will be valorized from side streams (profit to material suppliers), production companies may find new solutions for adapting their set-ups, and retailers could be the first to enter the market with a Swedish sustainable solution for leather that replaces current materials.

Approach and implementation:

The work starts with product specification and market analysis, which is followed by further development of the bio-based binder followed by the leather-like material build-up to reach mechanically stable and relatively durable material. The material´s properties characterizations will be done simultaneously. This will be followed by industrial optimization with producers and the production of demonstrators and evaluation by retailers.