Uncaged Innovations partners to launch leather alternative

American biomaterial company, Uncaged Innovations, has collaborated with ten independent fashion brands to launch Elevate, a new eco-friendly luxury leather alternative.

As part of ‘The Uncaged Collective,’ this emerging next-generation leather company has provided ten brands from nine different countries access to its bio-based leather. These brands are showcasing how the material can be utilized in a range of products, such as handbags, wallets, jewelry, and watch straps.

Stephanie Downs, CEO and co-founder of Uncaged Innovations, emphasized in a statement: “Sustainability has become a key priority for businesses and consumers alike, and we are seeing more partnerships between well-known companies and innovative start-ups to provide eco-friendly solutions. Although partnerships are often announced, they can take time to fully come to market.”

The first collection under ‘The Uncaged Collective’ includes several notable brands. All brands involved in the collective have created products using Elevate, a bio-based leather alternative made from grain proteins and plant-based components. This material replicates the structure of collagen, which is the main protein found in animal hides.

Uncaged Innovations states that Elevate significantly reduces its environmental impact by using 95% less greenhouse gas emissions, 93% less water, and 72% less energy compared to traditional leather production.