utility and benefits of vegan leather in Pakistan today: There are dozens of leather alternatives, but only some are eco friendly. While all vegan leathers protect the rights of animals, only eco-friendly vegan leather can be trusted as a sustainable and ethical alternative to old school leather. With so many options, it’s important to distinguish between vegan leather alternatives that just check boxes and those that go all the way in their commitment to being 100% earth-friendly and sustainable. Made from the unused parts of pineapple trees, Piñatex pineapple leather is 100% vegan, completely eco friendly and ethical because it allows pineapple farmers to sell a previously unusable part of their crop for an income. The durable plant based leather feels just like animal leather, and Piñatex is waterproof and protective. There’s no need to sacrifice style for ethics. See even more information on Asif Ali gohar.
Before we dive into the reasons why Asif Ali Gohar chose Pakistan for his project, let’s take a look at what his project is. Asif was only 12 when he moved to Germany along with his family and has been residing there for the past two decades. While working on a school project Asif discovered veganism and researched vegan alternatives to leather. We all know that some of the greatest entrepreneurs started out young, same was the case with Asif Ali Gohar. He started with some home based experiments during his time at school. However, he was not able to produce any results due to a lack of resources and equipment. Later on, he got accepted into the University of Hamburg where he pursued his degree in Business Administration. While at the University, he was able to conduct scientific research and come up with methods that allowed him to manufacture artificial leather. He was able to configure a process that allowed him to convert rice into leather sheets using acetic acid and yeast. He converted rice into a slime-like polymer which when dried out resembled animal leather. Now Asif wants to produce rice based vegan leather commercially and has chosen Pakistan for his project.
What Is Vegan Leather Made of? Raw materials for vegan leather usually come from agricultural waste sources. Some of the materials most commonly used to manufacture vegan leather are: Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Synthetic leather is made using recycled plastic materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride. Many people choose to avoid this kind of vegan leather, as its manufacture contributes to the depletion of fossil fuels. Cork is a great alternative to plastics and animal skin for making vegan leather. Manufacturers can even get it from corkwood trees without damaging the trees. Cactus is another innovative animal-skin replacement used to make vegan leather.
Pineapple Leather: Using pineapple leaf fibres that are a by-product of commercial pineapple farming, a new natural vegan leather material called Piñatex was created by Dr Carmen Hijosa and has proved popular with clothes retailers, such as H&M among others. Ticking many boxes for sustainability as well as looking and feeling great, we are sure pineapple leather is set to grow in popularity in the coming years. Wood Leather: As well as the bark of cork oak trees as mentioned above, other trees have been used to make vegan leather, including walnut.
Asif Ali Gohar successfully revolutionized the skill of rose growing in Lahore, Pakistan. Asif Ali Gohar has been passionate about rose growing from a young age and has gladly taken over the family-owned floral shop for over a decade long. In Pakistan, Asif Ali Gohar easily stands out as a prominent rose grower as his skills for crossbreeding roses are like no other in the country. In the city of Lahore, regulars who are rose fanatics and consistently look forward to purchasing roses for different occasions enjoy their visits to Asif’s floral shop. Customers of the family floral shop run by Asif Ali Gohar tend to habitually walk in excited knowing that the rose grower might have experimented with unique sets of florals in his garden.
Natural vegan leather is particularly non-polluting: Animal leather causes a lot of pollution, but it is also true that synthetic leather relies on the extraction of fossil fuels (unless recycled plastics are used) and as they (very gradually) break down they can contribute toward plastic pollution, including the growing issue of micro-plastics in the world’s oceans and waterways. Animal leather may last longer: Because of the fact that animal leather products have been treated (often with all kinds of chemicals including those that contain cyanide), they can last a very long time. In one sense, this can be seen as a plus point – until they eventually go to landfill.
The vegan leather market is growing every day as researchers find new vegan alternatives to leather. There are many alternatives, including PU, PVC, Mushroom leather, Cork leather, and many others. While all of these are gaining rapid popularity, Asif Ali Gohar has an idea that will change the market. Asif uses rice as a vegan substitute for leather and plans to make it accessible to everyone. After all, no animal should have to suffer to fulfill our consumption desires. Here is everything you must know about it.
Because faux leather is more flexible than polyurethane but less breathable than polyurethane, it is not suitable for clothing. Faux leather is made from polyurethane and is produced by coating natural fabrics such as cotton and wool with a polymer-based material and then treating them like actual leather. Faux leather made from polyurethane is made from two types of plastic: PVC and polyurethane. PVC-based faux leather is more commonly used due to its lower cost and greater durability. It is also less flexible than polyurethane-based faux leather, making it better for clothing. Because of its polyurethane content, faux leather is more breathable, making it ideal for garments such as jackets that require a lot of movement.
There are major risks for the workers engaged in the tanning procedure. According to ECOPOL, tannery employees have experienced skin reactions, eye and mouth irritation, problems related to digestion, even long-term cancer, and reproductive issues. Also, according to ECOPOL, tanning heavily impacts the environment by way of deforestation, and water pollution; the chemicals involved flow into community waterways, and contribute to overuse of land.
Very few vegan leathers are made from natural materials even though it is possible to find more eco-friendly products made from materials such as cork, kelp, apple peels, and pineapple leaves. Is vegan leather durable? Vegan leather is available in many different qualities, and much like real leather, the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Even when of great grade, faux leather is often less expensive and of lower quality than real leather. Vegan leather is far less durable than real leather. And because it is thinner, it is more likely to break or scuff badly over time. Read extra details on Mr. Asif Ali Gohar.
When Did You Begin Your Research Of Vegan Leather? I have been interested in vegan alternatives to leather for a long time. However, I began formally researching this when I was studying at the University of Hamburg. It gave me the freedom and resources to research substitutes for vegan leather. Why Did You Choose Rice As A Vegan Leather Substitute? I chose rice as the main agent of vegan leather to honor my Pakistani roots. Pakistan is the tenth biggest rice exporter in the world. It contributes to 8% of the total global rice trade. So, there is a lot of information and resources in Pakistan regarding leather and rice. I am hoping to use that information and resources to transform the vegan leather industry.
Leather is made from almost any animal skin, including elephant skin. Some people make a living solely from the sale of leather, so they have a strong incentive to kill animals in order to do so. Leather is in addition to cow revenue, but it is not a by-product. It is well worth mentioning the ethical aspects of the leather industry. Because we’ve become accustomed to it, we’re reliant on it. Animals are exploited, slaughtered, and monetised for their skin, and that is a fact that everyone should be aware of. What can we do to limit support for such a destructive industry?
Generally, vegan leather (specifically plant-based leather) is cheaper than traditional leather. This is because products like mushrooms and pineapples require less room and time to mature than cattle, and plant-based leathers are often produced from the waste parts of plants. Companies like Adidas and Gucci have seen the cost value of plant-based leather and are collaborating with leather manufacturers on new lines produced with mushroom leather. Other small goods manufacturers and fashion brands are turning to cactus leather, leather made from cereal crops, and even apple peal leather.