ICAR Transfers Vegan Leather Technology Made From Natural Fibres

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has transferred a new natural fibre-based vegan leather technology developed by the ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology in Kolkata to a Bengaluru-based company. The technology creates a new value-added use for natural fibres and could open another business opportunity around plant-based materials.

The technology is part of ICAR’s wider effort to develop commercial applications from natural fibres. For farmers and rural producers, such technologies can create additional markets for plant-based raw materials instead of depending only on traditional agricultural uses.

Natural fibres are obtained from different plant sources and can be processed into materials for industrial and consumer products.

The new vegan leather technology focuses on converting natural fibres into a leather-like material. Such products can be used in applications where conventional animal leather is currently used, depending on the properties and commercial specifications of the final material.

The technology transfer means a private enterprise can now work towards commercial production and market development.

New Value From Plant-Based Materials

For agriculture, the significance goes beyond the final product.

Plant fibres can become raw materials for industries involved in textiles, packaging, composites and other products. Developing these markets can increase the value of crops and plant materials that otherwise have limited commercial uses.

A stronger market for natural fibres could also create opportunities for farmers, processors and rural enterprises involved in harvesting, fibre extraction, grading and initial processing.

Technology Transfer Connects Research With Business

ICAR research institutes develop many technologies that require private companies to take them to the market.

The transfer to a Bengaluru-based enterprise creates a route for the natural fibre technology to move from research into commercial production. The ICAR News and Highlights page lists the transfer as one of its current developments.

Such partnerships can also help researchers understand what industries need and what changes are required to make a technology commercially viable.

Potential for Rural Enterprises

Natural fibre-based businesses can create opportunities beyond conventional crop production.

Local entrepreneurs can participate in fibre collection and processing, while larger companies can handle manufacturing, product development and marketing. This can create a chain of businesses around plant-based raw materials.

For agricultural communities, the value lies in creating additional demand for natural fibres and developing processing activities closer to production areas.

The commercial success of the technology will depend on production costs, durability, availability of raw materials and consumer demand for plant-based alternatives.

A New Market for Natural Fibres

The transfer of vegan leather technology adds another potential market for India’s natural fibre sector.

If commercial production becomes viable, the technology could support businesses working with plant-based materials while creating new demand for agricultural and natural fibre resources. For farmers and rural entrepreneurs, this points to an opportunity to earn from agricultural materials through processing and value addition rather than selling only raw produce.