Waste-Made Leather Materials
Leafy Leather Crafts Sustainable Leather Alternatives in India
Kanesa D — February 4, 2026
India-based startup LeafyLeather is introducing a new, sustainable option to the Indian fashion market by turning agricultural waste into a plant-based leather alternative. Co-founded by Surat-based innovator and fashion designer Manisha Jasani, the company transforms discarded crop by-products, such as corn husks, stalks, and banana stems, into durable, biodegradable sheets that mimic the look and feel of traditional leather.
The innovation addresses two major issues: the environmental and ethical concerns associated with animal leather and plastic-based synthetics, and the widespread disposal of agricultural waste across India's landscape.
Developed in collaboration with chemist Ashish Ramani, the plant-based material avoids animal cruelty and the chemical-heavy tanning processes common in conventional leather, while also eliminating reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
