COCONUT LEATHER

Coconut leather is a water-resistant bio-composite material made from organic bacterial cellulose. Waste coconut water, a by-product from harvesting the flesh, is collected by local farmers in Southern India and used to feed the bacteria’s cellulose production. After the fermentation process the sheets of cellulose jelly are harvested and reinforced with natural fibres (banana, sisal and hemp fibre), resins and gum. The resulting material is certified vegan, biodegradable and has similar qualities to leather. The final look can be matte, semi-glossy or completely glossy through the use of water- or oil-based coatings, and is available in different colours using mordant-free natural dyes.