Alternatives to leather without animal origin

Choose the Italian supplier Mabel if you want a leather alternative, based on waste from the food industry.

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If you’re a designer or maker looking for innovative materials with an ethical focus, Leatherbox has you covered. While the term "vegan leather" is often used to describe such materials, it's important to know that, by law, the word "leather" is only reserved for animal hides. At Leatherbox, we provide high-quality leather alternatives that prioritize both creativity and sustainability. One of our standout options is Apple Skin, a groundbreaking material developed by Italian producer Mabel.

Mabel’s premium leather alternatives crafted for ethical, high-quality creations

At Leatherbox, we proudly offer the Frumat Appleskin™ leather alternative by Mabel. This innovative fabric combines apple fibers—leftovers from the food industry—with plastics to create a durable and versatile option for designers who want to move away from traditional animal leather. The patented process behind this material ensures a premium finish that doesn’t compromise on quality.

Perfect for creating anything from bags to small accessories, these alternatives offer an exciting way to incorporate sustainability and modern design into your projects. Unlike conventional materials, Frumat Apple Skin offers a fresh and natural aesthetic, giving you a unique edge in your crafts.

  • Consists of upcycled apple fibers
  • Durable and easy to work with for all types of projects
  • Ethically produced without the use of animal products
  • Available in a range of textures and finishes

Why do we say vegan leather does not exist, and what are the alternatives?

Although many people refer to plant-based leather alternatives as "vegan leather," the term can be misleading. According to European law, the word "leather” can only be used to describe processed animal hides. This is why we prefer to call our materials "leather alternatives."

It’s also worth mentioning that no known leather alternative is entirely plant-based. Most of these materials, including Apple Skin, rely on a mix of plant residues and synthetic components like PU or PL to offer durability and workability similar to traditional leathers. While not perfect in terms of sustainability, they provide for some a more ethical and innovative approach for those looking to design with compassion and ingenuity.

Shop innovative leather alternatives like Apple Skin at Leatherbox—no minimum order

At Leatherbox, we’re committed to supplying premium materials for every creator, whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic beginner. That’s why we stock Mabel’s Apple Skin and other leather alternatives without requiring a minimum order. This allows you to experiment with these innovative materials without making a big commitment upfront.

Explore our selection today to find the perfect solution for your next project. Let your creativity shine with unique, ethical materials from Leatherbox!

An alternative to leather without animal origin

Leather alternatives without animal origin are known to many people as vegan leather. The word ‘leather’ is protected by European law and may only be used for tanned animal hides. To avoid confusion about the origin and sustainability of the material, a leather alternative may not officially be called vegan leather, apple leather, pineapple leather, cactus leather or mango leather.

All currently known leather alternatives are composed of a small portion of vegetable raw materials, combined with plastics (PU or PL). A leather alternative is therefore not by definition more sustainable in comparison to a traditional type of leather. Because Leatherbox is open to alternative solutions and new directions, we offer the Frumat Appleskin™ leather alternatives from Mabel in our webshop. This Italian producer uses fibers from apple residues, which is waste from the food industry. The process of turning this into a leather alternative has been patented by Mabel.

Great for designers to give it a try, or to design for customers and friends who only want to use vegan products. At Leatherbox you can choose from different leather alternatives from Mabel.