Based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, XXLabs is targeting tofu-production waste because large volumes of the byproduct are dumped into Indonesia’s rivers. Designer and collective member Ratna Djuwita tells Clearly Veg that she hopes the “soya couture” will become a new material trend.
The production process involves boiling tofu liquid waste with vinegar, sugar, and fertilizer, followed by the addition of bacteria. After 10 days, the result is microbial cellulose, which can then converted into a fabric similar that feels and performs similar to leather.