Funding boost for eco leather

August 18th, 2025

Alt. Leather, a creator of alternatives to animal and synthetic leathers, has secured $1.15 million from the government’s Industry Growth Program.
The Australian startup is on a mission to reimagine leather without the environmental baggage, and the grant is set to accelerate the company’s R&D and help scale up production.

Alt. Leather transforms agricultural byproducts and other bio-based ingredients into high-performance leather-like materials, designed for the fashion, home interiors and automotive industries.

Its material aims to combine performance and aesthetics, while keeping the footprint lighter than that of traditional animal leather or plastic-based synthetics.

“The grant marks a key milestone as we prepare to move toward commercial production,” Alt. Leather said in a statement.

“This funding recognises the need for better alternatives to both animal leather and plastic-based synthetics, and supports our next steps toward scaled production of a 100 per cent bio-based leather alternative.”