BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
In a breakthrough for sustainable materials, Australian startup Alt. Leather has unveiled a fully plant-based leather alternative that contains no plastics and is made entirely from natural fibers and agricultural waste. The innovative material promises a circular, animal-free substitute to traditional leather, with applications across fashion, footwear, upholstery, and automotive industries.
“Ten percent of our ingredients are upcycled from textiles and cellulose destined for landfill or incineration. One hundred percent of our ingredients are derived from regenerative plants available in abundance globally,” the company states. The material is currently undergoing testing for recyclability and biodegradability, designed with end-of-life in mind.
Backed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Alt. Leather has worked closely with material scientists to ensure its performance meets global ISO standards for strength, flexibility, color fastness, and abrasion resistance.
Closing the loop on leather production
Traditional leather comes with high environmental costs, from water-intensive animal agriculture to the chemicals used in tanning. Synthetic leathers, though animal-free, typically rely on petroleum-based plastics. Alt. Leather is aiming to offer a third way: a durable material made from plant starches, cellulose, and natural fibers without a trace of synthetic polymers.
“Every ingredient we choose is carefully considered to ensure that we are tapping into regenerative and abundant resources globally,” the company explains. “Polysaccharides like cellulose and starches, recycled and natural fibres, and plant-derived resins are all part of our solution.”
To get there, the team screened thousands of combinations of plant-based ingredients before arriving at their proprietary formula. The result: a sustainable leather alternative that is strong enough for daily wear but designed for circularity.
Scaling with science and support
Founder Tina Funder recognized a gap in the market for truly sustainable leather alternatives. But turning an idea into a scalable product required tools beyond what the small team had access to. That’s when they turned to CSIRO.
“Tina saw an opportunity to tap into Australia’s abundance of regenerative plants and leading research facilities to transform the leather industry,” CSIRO said in a press release.
Working with CSIRO’s Kick-Start program, Alt. Leather began testing its formulations using small-scale extruders—machines that shape material through molds. Success at that level led to trials on larger machines to assess production scalability.
“The structured approach of Kick-Start allowed us to test our material in a real-world setting and confirm that it could be scaled up,” said Funder.
Participation in the India Australia RISE Accelerator and the Circular Economy cohort gave the company access to manufacturing hubs in Chennai and Noida, where their materials were turned into handbags and footwear. They also received mentorship from experts across India and Australia, further refining their supply chain strategy.
What’s next for Alt. Leather
Alt. Leather is now focused on further improving the performance and composition of its material and is seeking collaborations with international and Australian brands committed to lowering their environmental footprint.
“We’ve learned how to navigate international supply chains and manufacturing landscapes, positioning us well for global expansion,” Funder added.
With growing pressure on industries to reduce environmental harm, Alt. Leather’s plant-based innovation could become a pivotal solution in the shift toward circular, sustainable materials.
