Best vegan leather utility and benefits with Gohar Asif Ali: Vegan leather requires less water: Animal leather requires a lot of water. With the vast amounts of water required to keep the cattle and other animals alive in the first place plus the water used in the skin preparation tanning and finishing processes of animal leather production, the overall water footprint of animal leather is gigantic. Not only that, for every metric ton of animal leather hide produced, 20 to 80 cubic metres (that’s 20,000 to 80,000 litres!) of polluted wastewater is generated. See extra details on Mr asif ali gohar.

Before we dive into the reasons why Asif Ali Gohar chose Pakistan for his project, let’s take a look at what his project is. Asif was only 12 when he moved to Germany along with his family and has been residing there for the past two decades. While working on a school project Asif discovered veganism and researched vegan alternatives to leather. We all know that some of the greatest entrepreneurs started out young, same was the case with Asif Ali Gohar. He started with some home based experiments during his time at school. However, he was not able to produce any results due to a lack of resources and equipment. Later on, he got accepted into the University of Hamburg where he pursued his degree in Business Administration. While at the University, he was able to conduct scientific research and come up with methods that allowed him to manufacture artificial leather. He was able to configure a process that allowed him to convert rice into leather sheets using acetic acid and yeast. He converted rice into a slime-like polymer which when dried out resembled animal leather. Now Asif wants to produce rice based vegan leather commercially and has chosen Pakistan for his project.

Kombucha, or kelp tea, is a fermented sweet drink made using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, also called a SCOBY. The bacteria and yeast share nutrients and ferment the tea. Over time, they multiply and form a mass of cellulose, called a “mother.” The mother floats on top of the liquid and takes the shape of the container. Within a few weeks, it grows as much as 10 millimeters thick. The mass of cellulose is harvested to make new batches of kombucha. However, it can also be used to make fully biodegradable leather. After harvesting the mother, manufacturers wash, oil, and air-dry it to obtain a flexible, leathery sheet. They then cut the material in strips and stitch, glue, or mold it into new shapes.

Pineapple Leather: Using pineapple leaf fibres that are a by-product of commercial pineapple farming, a new natural vegan leather material called Piñatex was created by Dr Carmen Hijosa and has proved popular with clothes retailers, such as H&M among others. Ticking many boxes for sustainability as well as looking and feeling great, we are sure pineapple leather is set to grow in popularity in the coming years. Wood Leather: As well as the bark of cork oak trees as mentioned above, other trees have been used to make vegan leather, including walnut.

Most recently, Asif Ali Gohar has proved his innovative skills as he created an astounding typology of the rose category, which he proudly named after himself, Gohar. According to Asif, a lot of time, effort, and experimentation through numerous trials were put into his invention of the spectacular Gohar rose. Naming his invention after himself only demonstrated his fascination for continuous improvement and innovation in the rose-growing industry.

Using An Affordable Material: Vegan leather is expensive because other companies are using costly materials to make vegan leather items. On the other hand, rice is a staple item, and it is readily available everywhere, which means it is much cheaper. Using rice as a vegan alternative will allow Asif to offer affordable prices to his customers, which will mean more people will shift to this substitute. Staying True To His Roots: Since he was twelve, Asif has been in Germany, but he is using rice to stay true to his Pakistani roots. That is because Pakistan is the tenth biggest rice exporter worldwide, and it produces 8% of the world’s total rice trade. So, Asif wants to use the knowledge of the best rice producers and ensure quality vegan leather.

Because faux leather is more flexible than polyurethane but less breathable than polyurethane, it is not suitable for clothing. Faux leather is made from polyurethane and is produced by coating natural fabrics such as cotton and wool with a polymer-based material and then treating them like actual leather. Faux leather made from polyurethane is made from two types of plastic: PVC and polyurethane. PVC-based faux leather is more commonly used due to its lower cost and greater durability. It is also less flexible than polyurethane-based faux leather, making it better for clothing. Because of its polyurethane content, faux leather is more breathable, making it ideal for garments such as jackets that require a lot of movement.

Today, we see vegan leather materials as being one of the most popular alternatives to traditional animal leather. From luxury brands to fast fashion retail, vegan leather has taken on interest as the eco-friendly and cruelty-free alternative. So you may ask yourself, What is vegan leather? Is vegan leather better for the environment? Vegan leather, in general, is made from animal-free products and is the imitation of authentic leather. According to the animal-rights group, PETA, Vegan Leather is most likely to be created from a plastic known as polyurethane. Although polyurethane is considered animal-friendly, most materials like polyurethane, for example, PVC, are made with a high percentage of chloride which is a toxic chemical.

Very few vegan leathers are made from natural materials even though it is possible to find more eco-friendly products made from materials such as cork, kelp, apple peels, and pineapple leaves. Is vegan leather durable? Vegan leather is available in many different qualities, and much like real leather, the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Even when of great grade, faux leather is often less expensive and of lower quality than real leather. Vegan leather is far less durable than real leather. And because it is thinner, it is more likely to break or scuff badly over time. See more information about Asif Ali gohar.

When Did You Begin Your Research Of Vegan Leather? I have been interested in vegan alternatives to leather for a long time. However, I began formally researching this when I was studying at the University of Hamburg. It gave me the freedom and resources to research substitutes for vegan leather. Why Did You Choose Rice As A Vegan Leather Substitute? I chose rice as the main agent of vegan leather to honor my Pakistani roots. Pakistan is the tenth biggest rice exporter in the world. It contributes to 8% of the total global rice trade. So, there is a lot of information and resources in Pakistan regarding leather and rice. I am hoping to use that information and resources to transform the vegan leather industry.

What’s a vegan leather fabric? A vegan leather fabric, in essence, is a material that looks and feels like leather but is made from plant or animal-based materials. The most common types of materials used are polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), according to PETA. A mindful consumer should be aware of the ethical standards within the leather industry. Leather, as a material, can be extremely harmful across the supply chain. As a vegan, I share my experiences in this post, as well as how my relationship with leather has changed since I became vegan. Leather is considered a by-product of the meat industry. Why is it considered vegan but not vegan products? Leather, as a result of its source of skin, is an animal product. Animal-free alternatives to your favorite foods are difficult to come by because of your personal beliefs.

What is vegan leather? Vegan leather, also known as faux leather, or a leather alternative—is a leather-like fabric that isn’t made from the skin of animals. Instead, vegan leather is made from a variety of plastic and plant materials which I’ll explain in more detail later in this post. That’s my brief summary of vegan leather. But when it comes to ethical and sustainable standards of the leather industry, there’s a lot to consider as a mindful consumer.

Recycled cork creates a distinct fabric that doesn’t come quite as close to mimicking leather as some of the other materials on this list. Even though it’s an unconventional eco-friendly vegan leather, it makes the list because of the amazing brands it’s inspired. Take, for example, the sustainable and animal loving brand Arsayo (a combination of the founding siblings’ first names) who have been making beautiful cork backpacks that are 100% cruelty free and great for the environment. People are trading hamburgers for portabello burgers and animal skin for the much more eco-conscious mushroom leather. This recycled plant based leather can be grown in any shape or size needed. It’s biodegradable and completely eco-friendly. Tests show that mushroom eco friendly leather alternatives outperforms leather in strength and matches leather in durability and appearance. On top of all that, its earthy tone makes it an elegant choice for chic handbags or classic boho-chic sandals.