Producers’ Dilemma: Craftsmanship, Credibility, and Pricing Substrates of Vegan Versus Traditional Animal-Based Leather

The current chapter highlights different challenges faced by the vegan leather industry, such as the technical skillsets, accessibility to plant-based/bio-based raw materials, economic challenges, commercial scalability, and geographical challenges. Some comparisons are made with traditional animal-based leather and what approach would be necessary to overcome these challenges. The chapter also includes perspectives and motivations from a producer of a vegan leather company, a footwear designer, and an artist developing products using vegan alternatives.