Biomaterial Celium may replace traditional leather: PolyBion COO

21 Aug '23

2 min read

Pic: PolyBion

Insights

Celium could replace traditional leather, reducing fashion's environmental impact, the COO of PolyBion told Fibre2Fashion.
Made from bacterial cellulose, Celium can be customised in colour and texture.
Though costlier than traditional leather, prices are expected to fall as tech matures.
He emphasised the need for strong skills in the biomaterials industry.

Celium has the potential to replace traditional leather in a number of applications and reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry, said Diogo Frada, COO of Mexico-based biotech research firm PolyBion. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Frada described the distinctions between Celium and traditional leather as well as gave insights into the rapidly evolving biomaterials industry.

“Celium is made from bacterial cellulose, which is a biopolymer that is naturally abundant on Earth. Traditional leather is made from the skin of animals, which is a finite resource. Celium has similar properties to traditional leather, but it can also be customised to have a variety of different colours and textures. Celium is currently more expensive than traditional leather, but the cost is expected to come down as the technology matures. Celium does not require the use of animals, making it a good choice for people who are vegan or who are concerned about animal welfare,” he told F2F.

Frada also detailed the essential skills and qualities required for professionals in the rapidly evolving biomaterial industry. “Some key skills and qualities that will always be important for biomaterial professionals, regardless of the specific changes that occur in the industry are strong scientific and technical skills, problem-solving, communication and collaboration skills, and also very importantly, adaptability,” added Frada.

Click here to read the full interview.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (NB)

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