Vegetable Leather Innovations, Challenges and Future Prospects

Abstract

Vegetable leather, otherwise referred to as vegetable-tanned leather, is an old and more applicable eventuality of commonly constructed leather. This paper reviews the main features, issues along with future possibilities of the usage of vegetable leather. Natural tanning produces environmental advantages and provides distinctive aesthetic qualities of a deep patina and increased durability, using plant derived tannins. The production of vegetable leather has a number of issues such as long turnaround when compared to the animal leather, higher costs and difficulty in maintaining quality. Nevertheless, new inventions in the process of tanning, tannin extraction in plants as well as production efficiency is enhancing the scale and sustainability of vegetable leather. The expanding fashion, footwear, and accessories industries are prompted by the growing need in sustainable products, which is supported by the higher awareness of consumers regarding the environmental safety of their product. Formulating of new bio-leathers via alternative plant products have been showing promise based on the use of pineapple as well as mushrooms and cactus. Vegetable leather has a great potential to grow as sustainability becomes a greater influence in consumer purchasing behaviour providing an alternative to traditional leather and a viable alternative.