Transforming Beer Waste into Leather
Arda Biomaterials created an eco-friendly leather alternative derived from brewers’ spent grain. This sustainable material promises to be plastic-free, biodegradable, and customizable.
Arda Biomaterials, a London-based startup founded in 2022, leads sustainable innovation with its new material, New Grain™. This eco-friendly leather alternative comes from brewers’ spent grain (BSG), a by-product of the beer brewing process. By transforming this protein and fiber-rich waste into a viable substitute for traditional leather, Arda Biomaterials offers a sustainable option for various industries.
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How is New Grain™ Made?
The journey of New Grain™ begins with harvesting barley grain. Brewers extract sugar from the raw barley grain to produce beer, generating approximately 20 kilograms of BSG for every 100 liters of beer brewed. Instead of discarding this by-product, Arda Biomaterials repurposes it into a valuable resource. Researchers combine BSG with other eco-friendly ingredients, including plant proteins, plant fibers, and non-toxic chemicals. Moreover, this mixture undergoes a proprietary process that transforms it into a versatile material mimicking the properties of traditional animal leather.
Leather’s fabrication process. (1) It all starts with the grain. After harvesting, brewers extract sugar from barley to make beer, (2) resulting in 20kg of brewers’ spent grain (BSG) per 100L of beer. (3) Rich in protein and fiber, BSG is used to create the (4) New Grain™ alternative leather by combining it with eco-friendly ingredients. Courtesy of Arda Biomaterials.
Customized Designs and Pigments
New Grain™ features a natural dark color, eliminating the need for additional colorants. However, the material can be lightened and customized to accept a wide range of colors, finishes, and patterns. This customization potential makes New Grain™ suitable for various applications, including fashion, home goods, and the automotive industry. By providing a customizable yet eco-friendly option, Arda Biomaterials caters to the diverse needs of these markets without compromising on sustainability.
Alternative Leather: Plastic and Animal-Free
Arda Biomaterials claim that New Grain™ offers significant environmental benefits as it is entirely plastic-free and biodegradable. Traditional leather production is resource-intensive and often involves harmful chemicals, while synthetic alternatives frequently contain plastics. In contrast, New Grain™ utilizes BSG, a material typically considered waste, thus supporting the circular economy. This approach reduces waste and minimizes the environmental impact associated with conventional leather production.
Looking Ahead
Despite being in the development phase, the team conducts rigorous in-house testing to refine the material’s properties and performance. A £1.1 million investment in June of 2023 led by the Clean Growth Fund advances the development and commercialization of New Grain™. This funding will enable the production of limited quantities for consumer brands soon, marking a significant step toward market introduction.
The investment underscores New Grain™’s potential to disrupt traditional leather production and reduce environmental impact. As Arda Biomaterials pushes the boundaries of sustainable materials, we aim to offer a planet-friendly alternative without compromising quality or versatility.