Potato stems can be very becoming. So, too, stylish handbags.
Enter a Belgian startup which is working with biotechnology to ensure no animal products are used in their manufacture. Using a bio-printer, microalgae biomass is transformed into a leather alternative.
The texture of the material can be adjusted according to different parameters during the printing process, from crinkled to silky smooth. The concept is patent-pending with a decision expected at the start of 2026.
Then the lab will be expanded to cater for small batch production. The initial target market for the team’s waterproof leather alternative: high-end handbag manufacturers in Europe. The material is also suitable for furniture.
Other leather alternatives use pineapple leaves or flower waste.
