Can Bioleather Really Replace Animal Leather?

Pritesh Mistry’s innovative startup, The Bio Company (TBC), is tackling this question by transforming tomato waste into eco-friendly bioleather. Imagine shoes and bags made from tomatoes! This groundbreaking idea earned TBC the Best Innovation in Textile award at the PETA Vegan Fashion Awards in 2021.

As bioleather—a leather alternative derived from plant materials—gains traction, 26-year-old Mistry has found a way to turn tomato waste into stylish and sustainable products.

The Science Behind Tomato Leather

Using tomatoes as the primary raw material, along with a process free from polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), TBC’s Bioleather offers a fully sustainable alternative to traditional leather, without harming animals. But why tomatoes?

“India, the world’s second-largest producer of tomatoes, generates around 44 million tons annually, with 30-35% going to waste,” explains Mistry.

“This waste, primarily comprising skin and seeds, serves as an excellent raw material for Bioleather,” he adds.

Tomatoes contain pectin, a natural polymer that enhances flexibility and strength, while their fibrous structure and natural oils help create a leather-like texture, ensuring biodegradability. “By utilizing tomatoes, we address both food waste and pollution, transforming an overlooked by-product into a valuable, eco-friendly material,” says Mistry.

From College Project to Eco-Friendly Enterprise

With a biotechnology degree from Thadomal Shahani Engineering College in Mumbai, Mistry’s journey into bioleather began as a final-year project. His research took him to the tanneries of Kanpur, where he witnessed firsthand the environmental damage caused by traditional leather tanning. Around the same time, he observed the staggering amount of food waste generated on farms.

“These experiences made me realize there had to be a better way—something that addressed both pollution and waste,” recalls Mistry.

After months of experimentation, he successfully developed a Bioleather prototype. “It took extensive trials with tomato by-products, testing various formulations, and refining the texture and durability to create something that not only resembled leather but was also fully sustainable and biodegradable,” he explains.

TBC has since patented its technology and process, ensuring that its alt-leather innovation remains a leader in the sustainable materials industry.

How Is Tomato Leather Made?

Since launching its first product, ‘Original Bioleather,’ in 2019, TBC has remained committed to producing affordable, vegan, carbon-neutral, and biodegradable leather dyed with all-natural colors.

To achieve this, TBC sources tomato waste from local food processing units and farms in tomato-rich states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

“The by-products would otherwise be discarded, so we partner with suppliers to collect and repurpose them into a valuable resource,” explains Mistry.

At its Surat-based facility, Bioleather is crafted by blending tomato by-products with biopolymers, plant-based binders, and natural fibers. The process includes blending these elements, followed by non-toxic curing to achieve a durable, leather-like texture. A final plant-based coating enhances water resistance and durability, resulting in a PU- and PVC-free, biodegradable leather alternative with minimal environmental impact.

Who Is Using Tomato Leather?

The early adopters of Bioleather span across fashion, accessories, and automotive sectors, with sustainable brands incorporating it into jackets, bags, and footwear.

“Bioleather is PU- and PVC-free, which sets it apart from conventional faux leathers. It’s an extraordinary innovation, and its plant-based composition makes it unique,” says Natasha Mangwani, founder and CEO of Satuhati, a Toronto-based plant-based handbag label.

“We started designing samples with Bioleather in May 2024 and began commercial production three months later. After an incredible Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, we restocked for the Christmas markets, and the response exceeded our expectations,” she adds.

In the automotive industry, brands are also exploring Bioleather for upholstery and interior design, seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional leather, Mistry informs.

When asked whether Bioleather smells like traditional animal leather, he responds, “Bioleather has a pleasant, neutral scent that avoids the typical plastic-like or chemical odors associated with synthetic leathers.”

Scaling Up Sustainable Leather Production

Currently, TBC manufactures around 5,000 meters of Bioleather per month at its Surat facility.

“This production capacity is scalable, and as demand increases, we are working to expand output while ensuring the quality and sustainability of the material remain top priorities,” says Mistry.

With its patented tomato-based Bioleather, The Bio Company is revolutionizing the leather industry, offering an eco-friendly and ethical alternative that aligns with the future of sustainable fashion and responsible consumerism.