Allbirds' Plant Pacer is a plant-powered footwear design that makes the most of 100% plastic-free plant leather made from all-natural materials like rubber and plant oils. This first plant-based leather sneaker from Allbirds shares what the sustainable footwear brand says is a "truly sustainable alternative leather."
The sneakers were made possible thanks to a plant leather upper called Mirum that was created in partnership with material innovation company Natural Fiber Welding. Mirum stands out from other leather-like materials for being completely free from plastic, plus it's entirely vegan and only contains natural materials like rubber, plant oils and agricultural by-products, such as rice hulls and citrus peels. Additionally, Mirum has a carbon footprint that's 88% lower than traditional bovine leathers and 75% lower than pleather.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Plant Leather
- The rise of plant-based leather alternatives presents an opportunity for sustainable materials innovation.
- Sustainable Footwear
- As consumers increasingly prioritize eco-friendly products, companies can differentiate themselves by investing in sustainable footwear design and production.
- Plastic-free Materials
- The demand for plastic-free products is growing, and companies can meet this demand by developing innovative plastic-free materials for use in various industries.
Sectors Adopting This
- Footwear
- The footwear industry has an opportunity to pivot towards sustainable and eco-friendly shoe designs and materials to meet consumer demand.
- Fashion
- The fashion industry can stay ahead of the curve by investing in sustainable, plant-based materials for clothing and accessories.
- Packaging
- As the demand for plastic-free materials grows, packaging companies can develop new eco-friendly materials for food, beverage, and other consumer products.