Ecco introduces shoe using fibre from leather by-product
Danish leather footwear manufacturer Ecco has released a limited-edition BIOM 720 shoe incorporating a protein-based fibre made from leather by-products, developed with Spinnova.
The collaboration, which began in 2020, focuses on converting residual leather materials into textile fibres. Wet blue shavings are processed using a mechanical refining method to produce continuous filaments that can be cut into textile-grade fibres, without chemical dissolution.
According to the companies, the material has tensile strength comparable to wool and greater elongation than cotton, allowing use in different textile constructions.
Chief executive officer Janne Poranen of Spinnova said the launch follows several years of development work, while chief executive officer Thomas Gøgsig of Ecco said it forms part of efforts to explore alternative uses for existing materials.
The product represents the first commercial use of this fibre in Ecco footwear.
