Banofi: Sustainable Banana Leather from Crop Waste

Date:February 27, 2023

Country: India

Application

• Fashion Industry: Used as a sustainable, vegan alternative to traditional leather for products like bags, shoes, and accessories.

Description

Atma Leather, a Kolkata-based company, has developed Banofi, a premium banana leather made from upcycled banana crop waste. By using 60% banana fibers, it offers a sustainable, petroleum-free alternative to traditional leather, with significantly lower environmental impact. The material uses 90% less water and produces 90% less carbon dioxide than animal leather. This innovation addresses both crop waste and leather production sustainability challenges in India, the world's largest banana producer.

Pathway Description:

The process involves upcycling banana crop waste by extracting banana fibers and blending them with natural and synthetic additives to create Banofi banana leather. The composition includes 60% banana fibers, 20% natural additives, and 20% synthetic additives for the leather backing. These fibers are processed into a durable, flexible material, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional leather. This process reduces waste and environmental impact, providing an eco-friendly option for fashion and accessory industries.