Key points
- Alt. Leather's 100 per cent bio-based leather alternative helps industries reduce their environmental footprint while meeting the growing demand for high-performance, circular materials.
- The start-up leveraged CSIRO Kick-Start to access the specialised equipment necessary to test and refine their material production processes.
- Through our RISE Accelerator program, Alt. Leather learned how to navigate international supply chains and manufacturing landscapes, positioning them for global expansion.
As the material left the curing oven, the Alt. Leather team knew it had worked – what they held in their hands looked and felt just like leather.
That moment marked a breakthrough for the Melbourne-based start-up, which has developed a revolutionary, 100 per cent bio-based alternative to traditional leather. Made from agricultural waste and natural fibres, it offers a durable, animal-free solution with zero plastics.
Designed for industries like fashion, footwear, upholstery and automotive, the start-up is focussed on using resources more efficiently. It promises a high-performance yet sustainable and circular solution that reduces the environmental impact of conventional leather production.
It was the result of Tina Funder, Alt. Leather's founder, identifying a gap in the market for alternatives to animal and synthetic leathers. Tina saw an opportunity to tap into Australia's abundance of regenerative plants and leading research facilities to transform the leather industry.
Through CSIRO's Kick-Start and RISE Accelerator programs, Alt. Leather has been able to refine their material production processes and accelerate their commercialisation journey, both in Australia and internationally.
Kick-Starting large-scale production
Turning an idea into a scalable product takes more than just innovation – it requires the right equipment, expertise and support. That's where we stepped in.
Lacking access to the specialised equipment needed to refine their material production processes, Alt. Leather contacted us to see if we had what they needed. Once confirmed, they applied to CSIRO Kick-Start, which promptly connected them with our Food Innovation Centre team in Werribee in Melbourne's West.
The team began by testing their material on small-scale extruders, machines that shape and form material by forcing it through a mould. Once the material performed well, they moved to a larger extruder, which allowed them to test the feasibility of scaling up production.
Tina explained that these trials were crucial in determining the best processing methods.
"The structured approach of Kick-Start allowed us to test our material in a real-world setting and confirm that it could be scaled up," Tina said.
This gave Alt. Leather the confidence they were looking for. They were on the right path, paving the way for further growth and commercial viability.
On the RISE in India
Eager to expand their solution worldwide and tap into global innovation ecosystems, Alt. Leather applied to CSIRO's India Australia RISE Accelerator program to be a part of its Circular Economy cohort.
Through the program, Alt. Leather gained direct access to manufacturing systems in India, where they successfully produced handbags and footwear with manufacturers in Noida and Chennai.
Tina praised RISE for providing them with valuable firsthand experience in high-volume production environments.
"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," Tina said.
One-on-one support from dedicated program facilitators and industry experts across India and Australia also proved to be a game-changer for the company.
"We've learned how to navigate international supply chains and manufacturing landscapes, positioning us well for global expansion," Tina said.
From prototype to global partnerships
With ongoing facilitation and support from our manufacturing team at Clayton, Alt. Leather is conducting regular formulation testing to ensure continuous improvements in their material's composition and performance. The company is also exploring partnerships with both Australian and international brands eager to incorporate their sustainable leather alternative into products.
Tina credits the Kick-Start and RISE Accelerator teams as being instrumental in helping them to reach this stage, ensuring a smooth transition to larger-scale manufacturing.
"Our collaboration with CSIRO has been overwhelmingly positive, characterised by strong support, expert guidance, and an environment of shared innovation," Tina said.
Her team benefitted from how the programs go beyond research, driving innovation through expert facilitators who connect startups and SMEs to the right expertise, equipment, and market access.
For Alt. Leather, this support has been pivotal in unlocking the commercial readiness of their sustainable, circular solution – an essential alternative as businesses face increasing pressure to reduce their environmental impact.