Toward Biodegradable and Cost-Effective Vegan Leather: Alginate Composites with Natural Fillers for Eco-Friendly Textile Applications

The environmental and ethical concerns associated with traditional leather production have intensified the demand for sustainable alternatives. This study investigates the development of plant-based vegan leather using sodium alginate combined with beetroot, coffee, and charcoal—aiming to provide a biodegradable, cost-effective, and cruelty-free material for Bangladesh’s fashion industry. Sodium alginate, cross-linked with calcium chloride, served as the base polymer, while natural fillers enhanced texture, color, and functionality. The samples, developed under academic supervision, underwent water resistance, fire resistance, flexibility, and durability testing, with each test repeated three times to ensure reliability. Results revealed that beeswax treatment significantly improved water resistance, and charcoal-based samples exhibited the highest fire resistance, averaging 6 minutes before ignition. Fabric-backed variants demonstrated better structural integrity. Compared to commercial vegan leathers like Piñatex and apple leather, the developed material offers full biodegradability and greater cost efficiency. However, challenges such as scalability, long-term durability, and advanced mechanical validation remain. This research highlights the viability of sodium alginate-based vegan leather and emphasizes the need for industry collaboration, consumer awareness, and policy support to facilitate its adoption in Bangladesh’s textile sector.