Cosmos
Cosmos is a quarterly science magazine. We aim to inspire curiosity in ‘The Science of Everything’ and make the world of science accessible to everyone.
By Cosmos
As the material left the curing oven, the Alt. Leather team knew it had worked – what they held in their hands looked and felt just like leather.
That moment marked a breakthrough for the Melbourne-based start-up, which has developed a revolutionary, 100 per cent bio-based alternative to traditional leather. Made from agricultural waste and natural fibres, Alt. Leather offers a durable, animal-free solution with zero plastics designed for industries like fashion, footwear, upholstery and automotive.
It was the result of Tina Funder, Alt. Leather’s founder, identifying a gap in the market for alternatives to animal and synthetic leathers and an opportunity to tap into Australia’s abundance of regenerative plant s – and leading research facilities – to transform the leather industry.
Through CSIRO’s Kick-Start and RISE Accelerator programs, the Melbourne-based startup was able to refine their material production processes and accelerate their commercialisation journey, in Australia and internationally.
Alt. Leather’s green technology makes natural fibres mimic the 3D network structure of animal leathers.
But turning an idea into a scalable product takes more than just innovation – it requires the right equipment, expertise and support.
The CSIRO Kick-Start program connected them with the Food Innovation Centre team in Werribee in Melbourne’s West. CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency.
The team began by testing their material on small-scale extruders, machines that shape and form material by forcing it through a mould. Once the material performed well, they moved to a larger extruder, which allowed them to test the feasibility of scaling up production.
Funder explained that these trials were crucial in determining the best processing methods.
“The structured approach of Kick-Start allowed us to test our material in a real-world setting and confirm that it could be scaled up,” she says.
This gave them the confidence they were looking for. They were on the right path, paving the way for further growth and commercial viability.
Alt. Leather applied to CSIRO’s India Australia RISE Accelerator program to be a part of its Circular Economy cohort.
Through the program, the team gained direct access to manufacturing systems in India, where they successfully produced handbags and footwear with manufacturers in Noida and Chennai.
“The real-world production runs in India provided valuable insights into the operational challenges of mass manufacturing. It allowed us to fine-tune our approach at an industrial scale and further improve the efficiency of our processes,” Funder says.
One-on-one support from dedicated program facilitators and industry experts across India and Australia also proved to be a game-changer for the company.
“We’ve learned how to navigate international supply chains and manufacturing landscapes, positioning us well for global expansion.”
With ongoing facilitation and support from CSIRO, the coimpany is conducting regular formulation testing to ensure continuous improvements in their material’s composition and performance. The company is also exploring partnerships with both Australian and international brands eager to incorporate their sustainable leather alternative into products.
Funder credits the Kick-Start and RISE Accelerator teams as being instrumental in helping them to reach this stage, ensuring a smooth transition to larger-scale manufacturing.
“Our collaboration with CSIRO has been overwhelmingly positive, characterised by strong support, expert guidance, and an environment of shared innovation,” she says.
A version of this article by Esther Etkin first appeared on CSIRO News
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