FABULOSE animal-free leather project awarded €3.5 million

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In Europe, a consortium of researchers looking for animal-free leather alternatives produced using cellulose or cyanophycin as feedstock has been awarded a €3.5 million (US$4.087 million).

Dubbed FABULOSE, the group is comprised of 11 European partners, including German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research, Melina Bucher, Novis Biobased technology Gmbh, and Steinbeis Europa Zentrum.

The project began on June 1, 2025 and will run for three and a half years. 

“FABULOSE is not just about replacing leather; it’s about rethinking how we produce and consume materials,” said Iris Houthoff, coordinator of the project and researcher at the German Institute for Textiles and Fibers Research. “Our goal is to deliver a circular, sustainable, and scalable solution that aligns with the European Green Deal and sets a new benchmark for sustainable innovation.”