High-performance vegan leather mimics using plant-based composites

Uncaged Innovations is developing a platform of bio-based, vegan leather substitutes to meet a broad range of commercial applications, serving markets from fashion and apparel (e.g., handbags, watches) to automotive components (e.g., leather interiors). The overall goal of the proposed project is to develop the methods needed to formulate tunable materials that deliver the performance and aesthetic characteristics sought by various potential adopters. Our platform upcycles plant-based waste stream materials, such as brewer's spent grains, ground coffee cherries, and rice husk-derived silica, to use as primary fillers for natural rubber to make leather mimetics. To start, we will first evaluate the physical performance and allergenic protein level of natural rubber compounds with different biofiller contents. We will next investigate various natural plasticizers and contents thereof to enhance the strength and flexibility of the produced materials. Natural and synthetic coupling agents will then be explored to imporve integration of the bio-fillers with the natural rubber. Finally, we will explore the use of renewable carbon-sourced surface treatments to reduce the coefficient of friction of natural rubber compounds, resulting in a material that is well-suited for our beachhead applications in the fashion industry. This proposed work aligns with the Biofuels and Biobased Products Topic Area as we expect that our technology will increase the use of non-food bio-based products from agricultural materials and thereby diversify agriculture's role in consumer goods while meeting ethical and regenerative demands of the emerging bio-based leather alternatives market.