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Nova Kaeru leather, beleaf leather, plant-based leather, couro alternativo, alternative leather, automotive leather, next-gen leather for cars, cactus leather, MII Next-gen Materials.
Nova Kaeru
Material Name: 

beLEAF™

Biomimicry: 

Leather

Main Input: 

Plant-derived

Founded: 

2006

HQ: 

Brazil

TRL: 

2

Founder(s): 

Eduardo Filgueiras

Website: 

https://www.novakaeru.com.br/

About the Company

Nova Kaeru is a Brazilian company that develops sustainable fabric panels. Their plant-based product beLEAF™ is promoted as an alternative to leather.

Material

beLEAF™ is made from the leaves of the Elephant Ear plant (Alocasia macrorrhiza) grown and harvested near the factory. This plant was chosen for its large leaves, ranging in size from 2-5 m². beLEAF is produced in a dozen different colors and can have a matte or glossy finish.

Technology

The elephant ear plants are grown on land owned by Nova Kaeru and in partnership with neighboring independent farmers involved in reforestation projects. Nova Kaeru harvests the leaves and processes them with their proprietary L.I.V.E. ️(Low Input Vast Effect) system that returns all manufacturing residues to the environment. Solids are used as compost; liquids for plant irrigation. According to Nova Kaeru, this technology could be adapted to tan any plant for use as a leather alternative.

Applications

Clothing, footwear, accessories, and furniture

Selected Brand Partnerships

The Shoe Surgeon

The Shoe Surgeon sneakers made with beLEAF by Nova Kaeru.

The Shoe Surgeon sneakers made with beLEAF by Nova Kaeru.

Handbag made of beLEAF from Nova Kaeru designed by Joao Maraschin.

Handbag made of beLEAF from Nova Kaeru designed by Joao Maraschin.

Holyfancy's bags made with beLEAF by Nova Kaeru.

Holyfancy's bags made with beLEAF by Nova Kaeru.

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