Engineered, environmentally friendly leather-like bio-based materials

Xinhua Liu; Xiaoyu Zhang; Xuechuan Wang; Ouyang Yue; Huie Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.11.006

Engineered, environmentally friendly leather-like bio-based materials

Trends Biotechnol. 2024 Nov 29:S0167-7799(24)00319-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.11.006. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xinhua Liu¹, Xiaoyu Zhang², Xuechuan Wang³, Ouyang Yue², Huie Jiang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China. Electronic address: liuxinhua@sust.edu.cn.
² College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
³ Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710021, China; College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
⁴ College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Institute of Biomass & Functional Materials, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China. Electronic address: jianghuie@sust.edu.cn.

PMID: 39616086
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.11.006

Abstract

Leather is important to the global manufacturing industry, contributing to both the economy and society. However, because of ecological and ethical considerations, alternative bio-based materials to natural leather are now being investigated. Advancements in biotechnology and bio-based materials, combined with flourishing biomanufacturing, have driven product development. In recent years, animal-free, biotechnology-based leather-like material has seen significant growth. Recent progress in leather-like bio-based materials development has been achieved using proteins, mycelium, cellulose, and other sustainable natural materials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of these bio-based materials, addressing their challenges, practical implications, and potential to play a growing role in the emerging field of animal-free alternative. The development of 'future leather' has significant economic and environmental potential.

Keywords: animal-free leather; bio-based materials; biomanufacturing; leather-like.

Publication types

Review