Opportunities: Focus on Development of bio-based synthetic leather

The manufacture of bio-based synthetic leather does not have any harmful traits. Manufacturers should focus on commercializing synthetic leather production by natural fibers such as flax or fibers of cotton mixed with palm, soybean, corn, and other plants. A new product in the synthetic leather market, called “Pinatex,” is being made from pineapple leaves. The fiber present in these leaves has the strength and flexibility needed for the manufacturing process. Pineapple leaves are considered a waste product, and thus, they are used to upscale them into something of value without using many resources. Shoes, handbags, and other accessories made of pineapple fibers have already hit the marketplace. Considering the growing government and environmental regulations regarding the usage of harmful toxic chemicals in the European Union and North America, bio-based synthetic leather can prove a major opportunity for synthetic leather manufacturers.