Malai: A leather-like material grown from coconut wastewater

The leather industry in India accounts for around 13% of the world’s leather production of hides and employs approximately 4 million people.  However, the entire life cycle of leather production - from raising cows to skinning and initial tanning to the finishing process - has negative environmental impacts, making the leather industry one of the leading agents of industrial pollution. More than 400 different types of chemicals are used in leather processing, most of which are toxic to the environment such as, formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, oils and dyes. Also, leather requires a substantial amount of water and energy to produce.

Malai is a company based in Kerala, India, focused on the development of circular materials based on coconut wastewater, founded by material designer Zuzana Gombosova, and product designer and mechanical engineer, Susmith Suseelan. Bacterial cellulose is sustainably produced by microorganisms and has attracted industrial interest from the textile sector due to its properties.

Working alongside coconut farmers and processing units to collect their coconut wastewater, the company has efficiently reused this waste. Typically, this waste would be released into the drainage system, causing water pollution and soil acidification. One small coconut processing unit can collect 4000 litres of water per day, which can be used to make 320 sq. metres of Malai.

The material is a PETA-certified alternative to leather, free of any artificial substances making it a sustainable vegan material that can be used to produce fashion goods and home interiors. Malai is a fully compostable material that will biodegrade in compost in 90 - 120 days.