Vegetarian leather -Waterborne PU leather

“As a vegetarian brand, we never use leather, skin, fur or feathers. By taking this stance we are proving it is possible to create beautiful, luxurious products that are better for everyone – animals, people and the environment.

When we established our brand in 2001, there were doubts in the industry that it would be possible to create a luxury fashion brand without using leather or fur. But we proved, and continue to prove, that it is possible.

By choosing vegetarian leather, we are demonstrating how a luxury fashion brand can push the boundaries to make products that are beautiful, sustainable and cruelty-free. No compromises.

A better environmental impact

Our leather alternatives do not just look good, they are also better to the environment. Using recycled polyester instead of Brazilian calf leather, for example, creates 24 times less of an environmental impact, as calculated through the Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L).

Innovative materials and safer chemicals

Since 2013, we have been using alter-nappa for our shoes and bags. This breakthrough material is made from polyester and polyurethane and has a recycled polyester backing. This reduces the amount of petroleum we use in our products. And the alter-nappa coating is made with over 50% vegetable oil, a renewable, natural resource.

We are also switched our polyurethanes to water-borne and solvent-free polyurethanes. As well as being less energy and water intensive, they are made without solvents and therefore much safer for people to work with.

(In this article, “switched the polyurethane to waterborne” that is our KAIYUE TECH waterborne polyurethane leather.

Waterborne Polyurethane replaced organic solvent with water, and the production process is non-pollution, and eco-friendly, and sustainable. Waterborne PU leather does not contain harmful chemicals such as DMF, DOP, and heavy metals.)

As Stella McCartney said: “Our decision to not use leather has enabled us to reduce our environmental impact. However, we do acknowledge that the synthetic alternatives we use are not without environmental concerns.

The future of waterborne leather

We are excited for the future of cruelty-free leathers. One opportunity we are currently exploring is waterborne leather. What may have seemed impossible just a few years ago is quickly becoming a reality. As a modern business, we want to bring these incredible feats of design to the fashion industry and pave the way to a more progressive approach to materials.”