A Systematic Review on Potential Bio Leather Substitute for Natural Leather

Abstract

Bio-based leather substitutes are an emerging class of ethically and environmentally responsible natural fabrics that are increasingly exceeding consumer aesthetic and functional expectations as an alternative to bovine and synthetic leathers. This literature review creates a clear and elaborative overview of conventional leather processing along with innovative potential bio-leather substitutes. Plant-driven, fungal-origin, bacterial-driven, and animal-origin bio-leathers are the current innovative research advances addressed in this literature. While traditional leather and its alternatives are sourced from animals and synthetic polymers, these renewable and sustainable leather substitutes are gained from bacterial cellulose, mycelium, plant cellulose, and animal cells using tissue engineering and other eco-friendly techniques. In conclusion, bio-based leather alternatives are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and sustainable and ultimately can substitute natural leather made by conventional processing.

Growing mycelium leather: a paste substrate approach with post-treatments

“…Following tanning, the leather hide has to undergo basification typically with the use of sodium bicarbonate, which allows for further treatments and liquoring, which prevents the fibers from fusing at later stages. Tanning methods may have varied associated costs, processing times and environmental impacts (Kefale et al 2023). The pre-tanning and tanning processes are responsible for 80%-90% of pollution associated with animal leather production (Arvanitoyannis and Kassaveti 2008).…”

“…These materials are typically made of a textile lined with a plastic layer that creates an aesthetic appearance similar to that of animal leather. However, plastic-based faux leathers have environmental impacts associated with the extraction of fossil fuels (Kefale et al 2023), long degradation spans (Mohanan et al 2020), and potential off-gassing risks (Čech et al 2023).…”