Covestro develops protective coating with Apple waste using PUD-based technology
Beyond Leather Materials collaborated with Covestro to develop a protective coating for leather alternatives using apple waste generated in juice and cider manufacturing. The jointly developed coating is based on polyurethane dispersions made with partially bio-based content.
Beyond Leather Materials’ approach captures the value of apple waste – of which around 4 million tons is produced every year – by upcycling it into a high-performance and more sustainable alternative to conventional leather made with animal skin. The leather alternative contains more than 85% bio-based material, largely waste from apple-pressing processes.
With a high content of short fibers and polymers, apple waste (including cores, seeds, and stems) can be activated to give a strength and suppleness to the final material. It recreates the functional and aesthetic properties that make leather so desirable.
“With around 25% of an apple discarded after pressing, we wanted to capture this waste’s value in premium applications. We believe that looking into waste streams and using upcycling is crucial to reduce emissions. It is our mission to show how much value there is in waste and, ultimately, make waste beautiful,” said Mikael Eydt, co-founder & CEO, Beyond Leather Materials.
