Alt.Leather

Alt.Leather is a Melbourne-based materials science company engineering a 100% bio-based, plastic-free alternative to traditional animal and synthetic leathers. Founded in 2023 by Tina Funder, the company addresses a critical gap in the sustainable materials market. Funder, an award-winning creative director with extensive global advertising experience, previously launched a vegan handbag label. Through this venture, she identified that many existing leather alternatives still relied on polyurethane binders, which inspired her to develop a completely petrochemical-free material.

The company's core product is a proprietary material formulated from agricultural waste, such as cellulose and starches, and regeneratively grown plants. Its patentable technology uses natural fibers and plant-based resins to replicate the 3D matrix structure of animal hide, resulting in a durable and flexible textile. This process yields a material that looks and feels like leather and meets most ISO global standards for accessories and footwear. Alt.Leather serves B2B clients in the fashion, footwear, furniture, and automotive sectors, providing a sustainable material for manufacturing. The business model is focused on becoming a global supplier to brands seeking to reduce their environmental footprint and meet increasing consumer and regulatory demand for sustainable products.

Financially, Alt.Leather has secured significant backing, including a $1.15 million grant from the Australian government's Industry Growth Program in August 2025 and an oversubscribed $1.1 million seed round in early 2024. Key investors include Wollemi Capital Group, Startmate, Main Sequence, and LaunchVic's Alice Anderson Fund. The company has leveraged support from programs like the CSIRO Kick-Start and the India-Australia RISE Accelerator to refine its production processes, test scalability using industrial extruders, and establish manufacturing connections in India. The firm aims to have a pilot plant operational in Melbourne by the end of 2025, with plans for scaled production by 2027.

Keywords: bio-based leather, leather alternative, sustainable materials, biomaterials, circular economy, plant-based textiles, agricultural waste, plastic-free leather, vegan leather, ethical fashion, sustainable automotive interiors, cleantech, material science, regenerative plants, B2B materials supplier, CSIRO, biofabrication, sustainable footwear, eco-friendly upholstery, green technology