Like many other plant leathers, corn leather is a high-quality material partly made with waste plant content. In this article, we explore this innovative material to understand how it is made and how it can be used.
Corn leather is an animal-friendly alternative to leather. It is considered a next-generation material because it combines organic plant material and PU (polyurethane). The corn used for making the base material is a non-food grade crop, so it doesn't divert food resources from human or animal supply chains.
The amount of corn in the material can vary. This varying content helps to create different characteristics that allow the material to be used for different applications. For example, our collection uses a corn-based material with 30% plant content to produce small accessories such as wallets and card holders. The material is soft and supple and has an ideal thickness for folding and stitching. This enables us to deliver a high-quality finish. On the other hand, the corn-based material used to craft handbags and purses is thicker. It has 45% plant content and feels firmer, giving structure and integrity to our bags.
Some corn leathers are a good choice compared to next-generation materials such as cactus leather (30% plant content) and apple leather (up to 27% plant content).
The production of corn leather begins with corn biopolymers, extracted from the cellulose and sugars present in corn waste. These biopolymers are processed and combined with other bio-based or synthetic materials to create a durable, flexible fabric that can be moulded, dyed, and used in various applications. One of the critical aspects of this process is that it helps reduce waste by repurposing by-products from the agricultural industry.1
Compared to animal leather, the manufacturing of corn leather typically involves less water and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional leather production often requires harmful chemicals, such as chromium, in the tanning process. Corn leather sidesteps these environmentally damaging practices, making it a cleaner option.
Corn is a renewable resource.
Corn leather presents a more sustainable alternative to animal and synthetic leathers across several environmental metrics. Producing animal leather requires substantial water resources, consuming up to 17,000 litres per square meter, and emits up to 35 kg CO2 due to cattle farming and chemical-intensive tanning processes. In contrast, corn leather uses significantly less water and produces much lower carbon emissions, estimated at around 3 kg CO2 per square meter. Synthetic leathers like PU and PVC also involve moderate emissions (10-12 kg CO2) and high chemical usage, contributing to their non-biodegradability.
| Material | Water Consumption (Litres per sqm) | Carbon Emissions (kg CO2 per sqm) | Chemical Usage (Rating) | Biodegradability (Yes/No) | Production Waste (kg per sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn Leather | 60 | 3 | Low | Yes | 0.5 |
| Animal Leather | 17,0002 | 35 | High (Tanning, Dyeing) | No | 2.5 |
| Synthetic Leather (PU) | 250 | 10 | Moderate | No | 1.5 |
| Synthetic Leather (PVC) | 200 | 12 | High (Plastics) | No | 2 |
Corn leather is available in several textured finishes. It can be smooth, with a feel like traditional goatskin leather. It can be grained, printed with a crocodile print, or even metallic. Regardless of the texture, corn leather can be crafted using the same techniques as traditional leather to produce beautifully crafted items you can use every day.
Absolutely. Corn leather is designed to be a lower-impact, more sustainable alternative to animal leather.
In 2019/20, the United States was the biggest corn producer worldwide, with a production volume of over 345 million metric tons, accounting for over one-third of the global corn production 3.
Most corn grown today is produced by GM crops engineered to be herbicide (weed killer) resistant. This treatment does not harm the genetically engineered crop, but it does create chemical residues and runoff, which is disastrous for surrounding ecosystems 4.
This is where research and supplier choice are essential. Brands wishing to avoid GMO crops can choose suppliers who only source non-GMO raw materials. The supplier we use in Italy does not use GMO crops to produce its corn-based materials.
Absolutely. When cared for properly, corn leather is highly durable and long-lasting. A warm, soapy cloth will remove residue, dust and marks from plant leather. As with all materials, abrasives, cleaners and bleaching chemicals should be avoided.
We all know that the most sustainable items are those which we already own. One of the primary reasons why clothing and accessories end up in landfills is their lack of durability. Buying items made from durable, long-lasting materials may cost a little more, but the investment is worth it.
Traditional, classically designed accessories will complement your clothing for much longer than fast-fashion fads, designed to last only a few wears.
Check out this article, 'The Environmental Impact of Fashion', to learn more about the volume of waste created by the fashion industry and the damage it is causing on a global scale.
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Updated 04.09.2024
