H&M and HKRITA's recycled leather uses bio-based bin - leatherbiz: Lea Leatherbiz

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H&M and HKRITA's recycled leather uses bio-based binders

10/10/2023
The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), using funding from H&M Foundation, has developed a recycled leather made from shredded scraps of leather glued together with bio-based binders and what it describes as “eco-friendly” chemicals.

The reProLeather process prevents chrome VI formation that can sometimes arise during some recycling processes, and uses an alternative to the usual PU and PVC binders, creating a recycled leather that is biodegradable and recyclable.

The project has made leather sheets and is now seeking industry partners to optimise properties and enhance functions.

Christiane Dolva, strategy lead at H&M Foundation, said: "We take risks to unlock needed solutions with the ambition to find technologies that can contribute to a planet positive fashion future. 

“I'm always open to share our findings openly with others, to find industry actors ready to adopt bold innovations and reProLeather could be one of these solutions. I hope to see it scale soon."
 

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