At Vegan Fashion Repository, we’re committed to tracking the evolution of vegan fashion by regularly updating our Directory with cutting-edge innovations and materials.
This month’s update is a special Earth Day edition. April 22 marks a global moment of reflection and action for the planet—and what better way to honor it than by spotlighting materials that are rooted in nature and designed for a more sustainable future?
To celebrate, we’re thrilled to introduce a major new feature:
🔗 The Global Vegan Fashion Map – your gateway to discovering the brands driving the future of cruelty-free and sustainable fashion worldwide.
This interactive tool features all the brands in our Directory, helping users explore vegan fashion companies by region or country—whether you’re searching for local designers or global pioneers.
In line with this celebration, our April update continues to focus on innovative textiles and fabrics—with a twist. We’ve handpicked 15 new leather alternatives that are deeply connected to the Earth, including:
🌱 10 plant-based and
🍄 5 mycelium-based alternatives.
These additions demonstrate the fashion industry’s ongoing shift toward biodegradable, renewable, and cruelty-free materials—and we’re excited to highlight their potential.
In April 2025, we added the following leather alternatives:
🌱 plant-based
Alt. Leather (Australia)
100% bio-based, using regenerative plant sources such as cellulose and starches, with no petroleum-derived plastics or animal products. It includes 10% upcycled content from textile and cellulose waste and meets international ISO standards for durability, abrasion resistance, flexibility, and color fastness.
Banaric™ (India)
Banana-based material made from agricultural waste, primarily using fibers extracted from banana pseudostems. Its composition includes 48% banana fiber, 37% plant cellulose fiber, 10% bio-based PU, and 5% other polymers. Durable, breathable, and water-resistant, it reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional and synthetic leather, requires less water, and helps divert agricultural waste from landfills.
beLEAF™ (Netherlands)
Made from Elephant Ear plant leaves (Alocasia Macrorrhiza), a durable and eco-friendly material. Cultivated near the Nova Kaeru factory in Brazil, it is produced using resins and organic polymers of vegetable origin. Residues are composted to nourish the soil, and the water used is recycled for irrigation, reducing environmental impact.
Eori™ (India)
Bio-based vegan leather made using cellulose from sources like wood and textile waste. Developed to mimic the structure and performance of animal leather, it requires no toxic chemicals, produces zero waste, and discharges no effluents. Compared to traditional leather, Eori™ emits 87% less CO₂, uses 72% less water, and achieves 60 times higher land-use efficiency, with a shift toward solar-powered production.
LUCIDA MAT™ (USA)
Plant-based leather alternative with a soft, pliable texture and a surface made from 100% FSC™ natural resin. It is available in a wide range of custom colors, metallic finishes, prints, and patent textures. Liners include GOTS organic cotton, FSC™ lyocell, and GRS-certified recycled polyester, and the material is fully recyclable into new natuura™ products. 88% USDA Biobased certified.
PANEX® (Taiwan)
Partially biodegradable leather alternative made with 20–60% upcycled pineapple content. It combines pineapple waste with eco-friendly resins for enhanced durability and features a base of pineapple or non-woven fabric. The material is non-toxic, water-resistant, washable, and certified sustainable, with low water and energy use.
PEEL Lab (Japan)
Made from upcycled fruit waste, including pineapple leaves sourced from juice production. In 2022, 800 meters were produced, reusing 180 kg of organic waste and reducing CO₂ emissions by 1,500 kg. Entirely animal- and cruelty-free, crafted using low-impact inputs from verified sustainable sources.
PEELSPHERE® (Germany)
Circular material made from fruit waste and algae. Biodegradable, durable, and versatile. With a closed-loop system and a focus on reducing carbon footprint, PEELSPHERE® supports a circular design and is available in a variety of colours and patterns. TÜV OK biobased certified.
PVL (India)
Made from renewable plant sources, with a composition that includes 75% plant cellulose knitted fabric, 15% bio-based PU coating, and 10% adhesive and other polymers. Free from harmful chemicals.
TERRENE MAT™ (USA)
Plant-based leather alternative made with a 100% FSC™ natural resin surface and available in a range of finishes, including matte, semi-matte, shiny, and performance grip. It comes in 132 cm wide continuous rolls with options for deep embossed textures and liners made from GOTS organic cotton, FSC lyocell, or GRS-certified recycled polyester. The material is fully recyclable into new natuura™ products. 91% USDA Biobased certified.
🍄 mycelium-based
Anolea™ (South Korea)
Anolea™ is a next-generation mycelium-based leather alternative developed by MYCEL, a Hyundai Motor Group spin-off. Lightweight, durable, and highly biodegradable, it outperforms both animal and synthetic leather in sustainability.
Fy™ (HYDEFY) (USA)
Hydefy’s Fy™ is a fungi-based material created through a proprietary fermentation process, using fungi discovered in Yellowstone’s volcanic hot springs and sugarcane waste. It was showcased in collaboration with Stella McCartney in the Stella Ryder Hydefy Crossbody bag—a luxury accessory unveiled at the Spring/Summer 2025 Paris runway.
Heri Farm’s (South Korea)
Heri Farm’s’ mushroom leather achieves over 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions and water use compared to animal leather, while each piece has a unique, natural pattern. Backed by over 26 years of mushroom expertise, Heri Farm’s uses advanced biological fibrillation technology and modular smart farms to produce high-quality mushroom leather.
KINOLI® (Japan)
100% mycelium-based leather alternative made without any petroleum resins. Grown over 40 days, it features organic patterns created by fungal growth and offers a soft, smooth, skin-like texture.
Mykkö (UK)
100% biodegradable leather alternative made in the UK from locally sourced mycelium and green waste. Developed through bio-fabrication, it uses mushroom species and regenerative agricultural byproducts to create a sustainable material suitable for luxury goods. Produced in Yorkshire, Mykkö prioritizes transparency, compostability, and minimal environmental impact.
If your vegan brand or textile/fabric isn’t yet featured in our Directory, feel free to contact us at hello@veganfashionrepository.com