The luxury industry is about to take a surprising step, between science fiction and scientific reality. A project born of a collaboration between companies Lab-Grown Leather, specialized in leather manufacture, The Organoid Company, engineering leader and VML, a creative agency, aims to create an ecological and ethical material … in dinosaur skin. Researchers wish to produce leather likely to revolutionize the manufacture of luxury products, while promoting sustainable practices, without killing the slightest animal, reports an article by The Daily Galaxy.
To do this, the team of scientists used a fragment of collagen from fossilized bones of a tyrannosaurus dating from 80 million years. The DNA of the latter was then reconstructed and then integrated into other cells cultivated in the laboratory. Thomas Mitchell, CEO of The Organoid Company explained that T-Rex leather is “”a biomaterial inspired by prehistoric biology»» and that it is possible to “”Clone it in a custom -made cell line».
It is thanks to tissue engineering technology without scaffolding of Lab-Grown Leather that these cells naturally form a leather structure, without requiring artificial support. According to paleontologists, the skin of the tyrannosaurus would be similar to that scaly of a modern reptile. The result obtained would be biodegradable, while offering the same solidity, sustainability and texture sought by leather goods customers.
“I spent without counting”
Beyond scientific prowess, this project aims to reduce the environmental impact of the leather industry, often criticized for its consumption of chemicals, such as chrome. T-Rex leather, product-obviously-without slaughter of animals, is part of a responsible fashion process. For partner companies, this is a direct response to the demand of materials based on authenticity in a flourishing world market. That of leather goods should reach around $ 780 billion (around 686 billion euros) by 2035.
Other projects of this type already exist: in France, the Parisian start-up Faircraft specializes in the in vitro leather revolution. Its objective is to develop leather cultivated in the laboratory from animal cells, without slaughter or breeding, and to aim for a large -scale production for luxury leather goods. It is an alternative to traditional and vegan leathers, guaranteeing a very good quality product.
Behind the undeniable communication stroke of this T-Rex leather project hide real issues for the luxury market. Bas Korsten, Director of World Creation at VML, explains that with “”The leather T-Rex, we exploit the biology of the past to create the luxury materials of the future. This amazing collaboration represents the crossing between creative innovation and advanced biotechnology.»»
At a time when the planet seeks to reconcile creation, luxury and responsibility, this project may well mark the start of a new era for the leather industry.
