Vegan leather is a leather-like material not made with animal skin that can be synthetic, plant-based or lab-grown.

Synthetic leather usually consists of a textile backing coated with two or more synthetic polymer layers, traditionally polyvinyl chloride (PVC, vinyl) or polyurethane (PU).

The plant-based versions are similar to their synthetic counterpart, but natural components replace some synthetic materials. For example, part or all of the PVC or PU coating can be replaced by biobased products.

Lab-grown vegan leather uses new technologies to create a material by growing its cells in a laboratory, for example by developing fungal cells into mushroom roots, known as mycelium, or collagen, the main protein found in leather, produced through bio fermentation processes.

Vegan leather sits within the wider category of next generation materials, which includes all innovative material systems developed as alternatives to traditional animal leather and conventional synthetics.
Next generation materials may be plant based, bio based, recycled or lab developed, and are defined by their material innovation, performance development and production technology rather than only their visual similarity to leather.

Next generation materials are innovative material systems developed through advances in material science, biotechnology and polymer engineering.

They include plant based materials, bio based systems, recycled materials and lab developed alternatives.

Unlike traditional categories defined only by appearance or imitation of leather, next generation materials are defined by how they are created, how they perform and how they can be engineered for product applications.

These materials often require specific development and construction approaches in order to become suitable for real manufacturing.

Durability varies depending on material type and construction.

Modern vegan leather and next generation materials are significantly more advanced than earlier generations of synthetic alternatives and can achieve high levels of performance when correctly engineered into a product.

We work with material systems designed for durability, structural stability and long term use in real production environments.

Vegan leather is a different material from genuine leather and requires different construction knowledge.

Although many products can be made in both materials, vegan leather often requires adjusted construction methods, reinforcement strategies and finishing techniques to achieve the same level of performance, structure and durability.

Understanding material behaviour is essential in order to translate design intent into a manufacturable product.

With the growing focus on sustainability in the fashion industry, the popularity of leather substitutes is rising by the day.

Although a completely different material category, vegan leather often imitates the appearance of genuine leather and is the choice for brands that want to maintain a leather aesthetic without using animal derivatives.

Materials with a different visual identity, such as cork fabric and other plant fibre based surfaces, are also increasingly grouped within vegan leather due to their function as leather alternatives.

These developments are part of the wider expansion of next generation materials, as brands increasingly explore innovative material systems that go beyond traditional leather substitution and move towards material innovation.

Vegan does not automatically mean sustainable.
Whether vegan leather is sustainable mainly depends on the materials used to manufacture it and the production processes behind it.

From an environmental perspective, fossil fuel based materials are not biodegradable, while plant based materials may be, although additional components such as backing, adhesives, coatings and dyes must also be considered as they may not be.

Many modern plant based faux leathers still contain fossil based polyurethane components, sometimes combined with recycled content.
However, modern leather alternatives are generally more advanced and lower impact than earlier generations of synthetic materials.

Sustainability considerations also apply across next generation materials as a broader category, since each material system has different environmental impacts depending on its composition, sourcing and manufacturing process.

To verify sustainability, it is important to assess material composition, raw material sourcing and environmental compliance of production.
A responsible manufacturer should be able to provide technical documentation and relevant certifications.

Vegan leather and next generation materials behave differently from leather and require specific expertise.

We provide vegan leather consultancy in the UK focused on:
Material behaviour and limitations
Construction and assembly techniques
Durability and product performance
Manufacturing feasibility and scalability

This ensures that products are not only well designed but also technically viable for production.