In a groundbreaking partnership, VML, The Organoid Company, and Lab-Grown Leather Ltd have announced a revolutionary new material that combines the best of biotechnology and sustainability. Engineered using T-Rex DNA, this cruelty-free and eco-friendly leather alternative is set to transform the luxury materials industry.
The collaboration brings together VML’s creative innovation expertise, The Organoid Company’s advanced genome engineering capabilities, and Lab-Grown Leather’s proprietary Advanced Tissue Engineering Platform (ATEP). By reconstructing ancient protein sequences from fossilized T-Rex collagen, the companies have created a cell-grown performance material that rivals traditional leather.
T-Rex leather boasts natural durability, repairability, and tactility, making it an attractive alternative to traditional leather. The production process involves engineering cells with synthetic DNA, which are then integrated into Lab-Grown Leather’s Elemental-X product stream. This “scaffold-free” approach allows cells to create their own natural structure, resulting in a material that is structurally identical to traditional leather.
The environmental and ethical implications of this new technology are significant. Traditional leather production contributes to deforestation and the use of harmful chemicals like chromium, which can lead to pollution. Lab-Grown Leather’s T-Rex leather technology offers a path to reduce these impacts while eliminating animal cruelty concerns.
Initial applications will focus on accessories, with the ambition to produce a luxury fashion item by 2025. The material is fully biodegradable and maintains the durability and repairability of traditional leather, making it a sustainable alternative for future generations of consumers.
Source: https://www.vml.com/news/vml-lab-grown-leather-ltd-and-the-organoid-company-announce-partnership-to-create-worlds-first-t-rex-leather