THE STATUS QUO IS UNSUSTAINABLE
At MII, we envision a world where the materials we interact with everyday, from our shoes to our car seats, are produced in a way that allows animals, the planet, and future generations to thrive. We aren't the only ones. Consumers and companies alike are searching for sustainable solutions that are functional, fashionable, and cost-effective, but today’s options are few and far between.
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Markets and technology have the power to drive deep industry change, from raw material selection to the runway. When next-gen materials can compete with the outmoded and polluting materials of today on price and performance, we will see a dramatic shift in the status quo toward a more sustainable future. In this future, the sustainable option will be the default option.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Materials derived from animals are some of the most environmentally destructive. Data from the Higg Materials Sustainability Index, a material scoring tool produced by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, shows that silk is the most environmentally destructive material, alpaca wool is second, and leather is third. Animal materials make up 4 of the 5 worst materials for the environment.
Turning animal skin into leather requires significant energy, requires harmful chemicals, and releases substantial amounts of greenhouse gasses. As a co-product of meat, materials from animals share in the responsibility for the environmental hazards created by the meat industry as well.
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For more information, please view our environmental fact sheet.
TOP FIVE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING MATERIALS
66%
66–80% of a brand's total
environmental
footprint comes
from the raw
materials
#1
Silk
#2
Alpaca Wool
#3
Leather
#4
Cotton
#5
Wool
CONSUMER
DEMAND
Industry data show continuing growth in sustainable product sales. Demand is increasing for sustainable, ethical products, and consumers are voting with their dollars.
%
90
Gen-Z consumers believe companies have a responsibility to address environmental and social issues.
66
%
Consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods.
%
55
Consumers who prefer leather alternatives over leather
80
%
Consumers who prefer animal leather over alternatives but are open to purchasing a lab-grown alternative
TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION
Across the world, we are seeing technology revolutionize our everyday lives. From innovations in plant-based milks to lab-grown meat, hotels versus Airbnb and taxis vs Uber, industries that have ignored innovation and been stagnant are being disrupted in a way we could have never imagined even just 10 years ago.
The animal materials industry is archaic. The process of taking animal body parts and turning them into a material is long and inefficient. Here is just one example for the production of leather which takes over two years.
We see this same inefficiency across all animal materials. For example, it takes TEN TIMES more energy to produce an animal fur than faux-fur piece.
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Producing Cow Leather Can Take Up to Two Years
Insemination
Insemination
Birth
Birth
Growth
Growth
Slaughter
Slaughter
De-hairing
Splitting
Tanning
Shipping
Deliming
Skin Receiving
Triming
Re-tanning
Shipping
Tanning
Stakiing
Drying
TECH
REVOLUTION
The Production Time for Cow Leather Can Be Up to TWO Years
From hotels and Airbnb to taxis and Uber, technology is disrupting industries in ways we could have never imagined even 10 years ago. The time is right for a revolution in the materials we wear and use as well.
The animal materials industry is archaic. The process of turning a part of an animal into a usable material is long and inefficient. The production of leather, for instance, takes more than two years.
We see this same inefficiency across all animal materials. For example, it takes ten times more energy to produce an animal fur than faux-fur piece.
​
Insemination
Birth
Growth
Slaughter
De-hairing
Deliming
Skin Receiving
Shipping
Splitting
Tanning
Trimming
Re-tanning
Milling
Wringing
Staking
Drying
Staking
Embossing
Conditioning
Coloring
ANIMAL WELFARE
1.4+ Billion
Leather Animals
Whether in the production of leather, wool or down, undercover investigations show time and again that cruelty is inherent in animal farming, even within farms certified as humane.
It is commonly but incorrectly thought that materials from animals are by-products of the meat industry.
Animal materials are, at a minimum, co-products of the meat industry. Leather is the 2nd most profitable product of a cow at approximately 8% of overall profit. In the case of fur, silk and exotic skins, the animal material itself is the most profitable product.
For more information, view our animal protection fact sheet.
1 Trillion
Silk Worms
367+ Million
Wool Animals
1+ Billion
Fur Animals
840+ Million
Ducks & Geese
2.5+ Million
Exotic Animals
