New Leather Alternative Made From Apple Waste: Sustainability in the Fashion and Automotive Industry

Beyond Leather Materials has developed LEAP®, an innovative, sustainable leather alternative made from apple waste. In collaboration with Covestro, the material features a protective coating based on INSQIN® technology, offering excellent durability. LEAP® is a promising alternative for industries like fashion and automotive, delivering both high performance and reduced environmental footprint.

Danish company Beyond Leather Materials has developed LEAP®, a next-generation leather alternative made from over 85% bio-based materials. The core component of this innovation is apple waste, a byproduct of juice and cider production. To enhance the durability and finish of LEAP®, the company collaborated with Covestro, a global leader in high-performance materials. Covestro contributed its INSQIN® polyurethane (PU) dispersions, which are partly bio-based and offer a waterborne, low-VOC solution for sustainable coatings.

Apple waste, typically discarded after pressing, presents a valuable opportunity for sustainable material development. According to Beyond Leather Materials, around 4 million tons of apple waste are produced annually. By upcycling this waste into high-performance material, Beyond Leather creates an alternative to conventional leather, contributing to circular economy principles and reducing the reliance on animal-based products.

"With around 25% of an apple discarded after pressing, we wanted to capture this waste’s value in premium applications," says Mikael Eydt, Co-Founder and CEO of Beyond Leather Materials. "It is our mission to show how much value there is in waste and, ultimately, make waste beautiful."

Covestro’s contribution to LEAP® lies in its advanced INSQIN® technology. This polyurethane-based system provides the protective coating for LEAP®, ensuring the material’s strength, durability, and high-quality finish. Made with partially bio-based content, INSQIN® offers a low-emission solution that enhances the sustainability credentials of the final product.

Dr. Torsten Pohl, Head of Global Textile Coatings at Covestro, highlights the importance of this collaboration:
"Our low-VOC, low-emission, waterborne, and partly-bio-based INSQIN® coating technology is the perfect fit for LEAP®," says Dr. Pohl. "It enables the premium durability and perceptual quality needed in today’s market while offering a more sustainable solution […]."

LEAP® is not only a sustainable alternative to leather but also a versatile material that suits various industries. From small leather goods like wallets and purses to potential applications in automotive interiors, LEAP® delivers the functionality and aesthetic appeal typically associated with animal-based leather.

Key Features of LEAP®:

• Over 85% bio-based material
• Made from upcycled apple waste
• Durable and flexible with a premium finish
• Uses INSQIN® technology for low-VOC, waterborne coatings

This innovative material stands as a testament to the potential of waste upcycling and collaboration between forward-thinking companies like Beyond Leather Materials and Covestro. As consumer demand for sustainable alternatives grows, materials like LEAP® offer a viable and environmentally friendly solution without compromising on quality.