KiwiLeather Innovations, founded by Shelley Houston, addresses the annual rejection of over 50,000 tons of kiwifruit in New Zealand by transforming waste fruit into a plant-based leather alternative. This approach aims to derive new applications for the rejected produce, previously repurposed primarily for livestock feed.
Inspiration for this innovation stemmed from Houston's observations of biomaterial developments in Europe, where fruits like mangoes, apples, and grapes are used for similar initiatives. Collaborating with Scion research, she aimed to refine the process and produce a functional prototype. Houston remarked that the initial trials exceeded expectations, achieving a product that mimics the scent and durability of conventional leather.
The resulting kiwifruit leather is both plant-based and devoid of plastics, appealing to sectors such as automotives and furniture manufacturing, where alternatives like cactus leather are gaining traction. "There's just not enough product out there, enough bio-materials for these companies to be able to create that sort of thing," noted Houston, highlighting the demand for sustainable options.
Establishing connections with various packhouses, she secured a supply chain for the otherwise discarded fruit. This initiative not only provides farmers with new value through repurposing but also aligns with environmental sustainability efforts.
According to Houston, upcoming months may see the launch of prototype products utilizing this kiwifruit-based material.
Source: RNZ
