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Vegan leather, also referred to as faux leather or a leather alternative, has witnessed a surge in diversity in recent years. Various innovative materials have emerged in the market, including leather made from cork, wine, mushrooms, and more. Here, we explain how Vashoy’s pineapple leaf fiber material is developed for use in handbags.
The process begins with pineapple leaves that remain after the fruit has been harvested. Rather than discarding these leaves, they are thoughtfully collected and undergo a thorough cleaning process. The leaves are then processed mechanically to extract the fibers, transforming an agricultural by-product into a useful material resource.
Once the fibers have been extracted, a sustainable approach is taken with the discarded waste. The remaining plant material can be repurposed after appropriate treatment, helping to reduce waste from the extraction process. Meanwhile, the extracted fibers undergo a thorough cleaning and drying process, followed by an enzyme refinement stage.
During material development, the refined pineapple leaf fibers are combined with supporting fibers and formed into a non-woven textile base. A separate surface finish is then applied to create the texture, appearance and performance required for handbags. The finished material is not entirely plant-based, but pineapple leaf fiber is an important component of its base layer.