The plant-based leather developed through this study is an innovative, eco-friendly material made from banana peel waste, pineapple leaf fibers, glycerin, and alginate. These ingredients were carefully selected for their natural, renewable, and biodegradable properties, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy.&nbsp;The banana peel acts as the main matrix, providing flexibility and a soft texture, while the pineapple leaf fibers serve as reinforcing agents that enhance the material’s mechanical strength. Glycerin functions as a natural plasticizer to improve elasticity, and alginate—a polysaccharide derived from seaweed—is used as a biopolymer binder to increase cohesion and durability.As part of the initial investigation, different concentrations of pineapple fibers were incorporated into the banana peel-based matrix to study their effect on the final mechanical properties of the material. The tensile strength of the best-performing formulation reached 140.66 ± 14.91 N/cm², demonstrating sufficient resistance to stretching and mechanical stress. In addition, the stitching ability was tested using a basic straight stitch machine. Results showed that the material could be successfully stitched without significant damage, indicating its potential applicability in fashion and accessories production. This plant-based leather not only provides a sustainable alternative to animal and synthetic leather but also contributes to reducing agricultural waste and promoting responsible consumption and production, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. Although the preliminary findings are promising, further research is needed to enhance the material’s mechanical strength, durability, water resistance, and scalability for industrial manufacturing.

Eco-friendly Plant-based-leather from banana and pineapple waste

Responsible Consumption and Production

This plant-based leather offers a greener and more natural alternative that aligns with the principles of the circular economy.

Ratna Dewi Paramita, MA

Ratna Dewi Paramita, MA, is a product design specialist whose research explores sustainable and culturally grounded fashion innovation. Her work includes studying the use of neodymium magnets as closures for simple and practical apparel, examining eco-fashion developments in millennial batik–tenun during the new normal period, and contributing to the concept of a Batik–Tenun Creative Innovation Hub that supports integrated and collaborative development across the value chain. She has also investigated zero-waste pattern cutting as an approach to more sustainable fashion collections, emphasizing design methods that reduce material waste while aligning with local textile traditions.

Ratna Dewi Paramita, MA

Faculty Member Product Design

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