Biophilica has secured the 100% Certified Biobased label of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Treekind, its home compostable, plastic-free leather alternative made from leaves.

While there are many plant-based leather alternatives on the market already, there are very few that are truly free of polyurethane (PU), the company reports. PU-containing materials, however, cannot be recycled and fewer still are home compostable.

Developed at the Biophilica laboratory in London, Treekind consists of lignocellulose derived from urban and agricultural sources and a natural binder, designed to break down in soil or water within one year with the help of microbes.

Fully scaled, 1kg of Treekind material uses less than 0.1% of the water used in conventional leather processing, has zero toxic chemicals in its formulation and because of its biobased content boasts a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to animal leather.

BioPreferred certification is not a one-time process but requires ongoing compliance, providing reassurance fot Biophilica’s stakeholders.

“By becoming USDA Certified Biobased, Biophilica is joining an expanding list of businesses combating inaccurate marketing claims and the practice of greenwashing, while also contributing to a thriving bioeconomy,” says Vernell Thompson of the USDA BioPreferred programme.

“We are contacted every single day by brands searching for truly biobased materials,” adds Biophilica’s CEO and co-founder Mira Nameth. “Achieving this certification is a huge milestone for Treekind because it offers a very tangible and internationally recognised confirmation of our material’s plant-based credentials. Biobased materials are the future and we’re excited to offer companies solutions to transition to more sustainable means of production. While the Biophilica team always knew that Treekind is 100% biobased, brands and end customers now know it too.”

Treekind was brought to market in 2023 following Biophilica’s seed round investment of. £1.2 million funded by investors including Rhapsody Venture Partners and Fashion For Good. To meet growing demand, Biophilica is currently conducting large-scale trials in the UK and Europe as well as pre-commercial trials of the 100% biobased adhesive for bonding Treekind, as well as paper, cardboard, and wood.

www.biophilica.co.uk