Bestseller, a fashion conglomerate, has made the announcement that it will collaborate with Biophilica on the development of its material Treekind as part of a series of investments in alternative production methods.
The British start-up is currently working on an alternative pair of shoes made with natural binder and lignocellulose from leaves. The goal is to make a recyclable material that can also be composted once a product is finished with it.
The company’s innovation manager, Camilla Skjnning Jrgensen, said, “Although leather processing has a significant impact on the environment, we must also ensure that the alternatives do not merely contribute to additional environmental issues like high plastic content or decreased quality and durability.”
Seven months ago, Bestseller announced an investment in and partnership with VirtoLabs, which cultivates animal-derived laboratory cells to grow leather.
The group’s investment arm, Invest FWD, has provided funding for a number of innovative production-related projects, including waste-to-fiber technology and textile recycling.
