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Our Findings from the Biophilica Pilot

This pilot aimed to test, refine, and scale Treekind®, an alternative to animal and synthetic leathers made from green waste. The project focused on assessing the material’s performance, scalability, and manufacturing capabilities.
Read more about the Project

The Biophilica Pilot was launched by Fashion for Good in collaboration with Bestseller, PVH Corp., adidas, and Inditex. The pilot explored the potential of Treekind®, a sustainable, compostable leather alternative. It successfully moved from manual production to a semi-continuous demo line. The project delivered promising results, including prototype products like lifestyle footwear and handbags, and positive performance testing. The goal was to validate Treekind® as a viable, eco-friendly leather alternative, focusing on manufacturability, consistency, and scaling production for commercial applications.

Alongside testing the technical performance of the material, the project aimed at validating the environmental impact and end-of-use pathways. Biophilica was able to achieve USDA certification on their material and also conducted a 3rd party LCA assessment using two different backing materials, Tencel and cotton. Alongside this they tested their material for home composting, meeting the requirements of the ISO 14855-1 standard.

 

KEY FINDINGS

Performance 

  • Production was successfully upscaled from manual production to semi-continuous demo line.
  • Developed various prototypes including a lifestyle shoe, bags and accessories.
  • Material performance testing showed satisfying results in Martindale abrasion, resistance to cold crack and tensile strength.

Environmental Impact 

  • Biophilica was able to achieve USDA certification on their material and also conducted a third party LCA assessment using two different backing materials, tencel and cotton. 
  • The material was tested for home composting and met the requirements of the ISO 14855-1 standard.
  • The Treekind® material is PETA 100% vegan certified.

NEXT STEPS 

  • Co-development remains at the heart of Biophilica’s mission, as they continue collaborating with industry partners to refine and expand the applications of Treekind®.
  • With a strong focus on scaling production, Biophilica is actively fundraising to accelerate manufacturing and enhance material performance across diverse sectors, including upholstery, homeware, accessories, footwear, and cosmetic packaging.
  • Looking ahead, Biophilica is committed to bringing Treekind® to market-ready products, working closely with partners to integrate this material into everyday consumer goods.

 

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