The start-up then joined CSIRO’s India-Australia RISE Accelerator program, gaining direct access to manufacturing systems in India.
Manufacturers in Noida and Chennai were able to successfully produce handbags and footwear using their material.
“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 said.
Supported by CSIRO, Alt. Leather aims to further refine its material through formulation testing.
If mass-produced, the sustainable, circular leather substitute will be able to reduce the environmental footprint of traditional leather production.