Next-generation leather alternatives
from plant and marine biomass
NutLeather™ materials are engineered from readily available agricultural and marine biomass, including walnut, almond, pecan, and peanut shells, as well as seaweed-derived components. These underutilized resources are transformed through Ecoatex’s advanced materials platform into structured, high-performance leather alternatives using a closed-loop, zero-waste process.
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By integrating cellulose- and lignin-rich inputs from both plant and marine sources, NutLeather™ delivers durability, flexibility, and tactile performance comparable to conventional leather, without petroleum-based polymers, plastic coatings, or toxic additives. The resulting materials are fully biodegradable, plastic-free, and designed for circular end-of-life pathways across fashion, automotive, and industrial applications.
Most leather alternatives are plastic-based and do not biodegrade, contributing to waste accumulation and microplastic pollution.
Most leather alternatives on the market today are made using petroleum-based polymers such as polyurethane and PVC. While often marketed as sustainable, these materials do not biodegrade and persist in the environment, contributing to long-term waste accumulation and microplastic pollution.
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NutLeather™ is fundamentally different. Rather than coating or binding natural fillers with plastic, NutLeather™ is engineered as a fully bio-based material system derived from agricultural and marine biomass. Its cellulose–lignin composite structure enables durability and performance without fossil-based polymers, allowing the material to safely biodegrade at end of life instead of fragmenting into microplastics.