This Synthetic Leather is Made Out of the Most Unusual Material
Michael Baxter — January 15, 2014 — Unique
References: che.udel.edu & fastcoexist
The synthetic leather market is so popular because people love leather but hate the process of how it's made, so what if we could change it? Faux leather has been around for awhile but even the manufacturing process of that involves tons of chemicals.
The green movement is in full swing as big business rally behind projects that can save the environment and this new project could be one of the biggest ones. Chemists at the University of Delaware are creating a synthetic leather out of the highly unexpected chicken feathers.
The chemists make use of the downy fibers from chicken feathers in combination with plant oil resin, natural fibers, heat and pressure to create a breathable material that is leather-esque. The group, called Wool, is already working with Nike and Puma to develop an athletic shoe using the eco-friendly material.
The green movement is in full swing as big business rally behind projects that can save the environment and this new project could be one of the biggest ones. Chemists at the University of Delaware are creating a synthetic leather out of the highly unexpected chicken feathers.
The chemists make use of the downy fibers from chicken feathers in combination with plant oil resin, natural fibers, heat and pressure to create a breathable material that is leather-esque. The group, called Wool, is already working with Nike and Puma to develop an athletic shoe using the eco-friendly material.
Trend Themes
1. Synthetic Feather Leather - Creating synthetic leather from chicken feathers presents an opportunity for disruption in the fashion industry with a new eco-friendly material.
2. Green Movement Manufacturing - Manufacturing synthetic feather leather to meet the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products is a trend that presents disruptive innovation opportunities for all industries.
3. Sustainable Materials Innovation - Using chicken feathers to create a sustainable synthetic leather is a trend that presents innovative solutions for industries seeking to create products with minimal environmental impact.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can benefit from using synthetic feather leather as a trendy, eco-friendly material for a variety of garments and accessories.
2. Athletic Footwear - The athletic footwear industry can disrupt the market by using synthetic feather leather to create eco-friendly sneakers and other types of athletic shoes.
3. Manufacturing - Manufacturers in various industries can innovate by using sustainable materials such as synthetic feather leather in their production processes to meet the demand for environmentally-friendly products.
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