Table 1 Alternative leather materials currently known to be in or near production and their classification.
Company name | Product name | Product structural material | Material description | Haptic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural haptics | ||||
Various | Leather | Animal hide | Animal hide | Natural |
MycoWorks | Reishi™ | Mycelium-fabric composite | Mycelium mat, optionally with an embedded natural fabric [27] | Natural |
Mogu | Ephea™ | Fabric backer | Mycelium mat adhered to a fabric backer [24] | Natural |
Ecovative | Forager™ | TBD | Compressed mycelium foam (“mushroom leather”) [10] | Natural |
Plastic haptics | ||||
Various | Vegan Leather (aka PU or PVC Leather) | Plastic (Polyurethane or PVC) | Polyurethane or Polyvinylchloride can include a fabric backing | Plastic |
Various | Bicast Leather | Animal leather plus plastic (Polyurethane) | Animal hide coated with Polyurethane | Plastic |
Bolt Threads | Mylo™ | Viscose fabric with thick plastic (Polyurethane) | Viscose embedded with mycelium fibers and coated with polyurethane [29] | Plastic |
Desserto | Desserto™ | Fabric with thick plastic (Polyurethane) | Polyurethane mixed with cactus fibers, applied as coating to a fabric [7] | Plastic |
Vegea | V-Textile™ | Fabric with thick plastic (Polyurethane) | Polyurethane mixed with grape fibers, applied as coating to a fabric [44] | Plastic |
Modern Meadow | Bioleather1™ | Fabric with thick plastic (Polyurethane) | Fermented protein mixed with plastic, applied as coating to a fabric [20] | Plastic |
Natural Fiber Welding | Mirum™ | Rubber (likely biodegradable) | Rubber cured with plant-based chemistry [31] | Plastic like (rubber) |