If all goes well, the world’s first biodegradable vegan leather products crafted in India may soon hit European markets. Suresh S R, an innovative areca grower-turned-entrepreneur from Shivamogga, has been invited to send samples of women’s clutches made from areca fibre vegan leather to a Belgian trader. He remains optimistic about securing a business deal.
Currently, Suresh is crafting designer vegan leather clutches tailored to European tastes. He is producing around ten pieces, each designed to hold mobile phones and valuables. The manufacturing process, costing about ₹2,500 per clutch, involves collaboration with women self-help groups in Bharamasagar, Chitradurga, and skilled artisans in Tamil Nadu.
The self-help groups extract areca fibre from sheaths, which is then processed into a non-woven sheet containing 30% cotton. This sheet is treated with patented gum and shaped into 8ft by 2ft leather sheets using a Mangle machine. The sheets are then sent to Chennai, where expert craftsmen assemble the final clutches with custom locks.
“The Belgian buyer has specified colors and designs. The clutches will be ready in 20 days and shipped from Chennai,” Suresh said. Unlike existing vegan leather, which relies on polyurethane, his areca fibre leather is entirely biodegradable. It also consumes far less water—250 liters per square meter compared to 24,000 liters for animal leather—with zero carbon emissions.
Bengaluru fashion houses have already approved his samples, and discussions are underway for bulk orders. Suresh also envisions producing eco-friendly leather files for government use.
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