India’s Atma turns banana waste into leather alternative

In India, banana has become the latest fruit to be turned into vegan leather. Dubbed Banofi, the material was developed by Kolkata’s Atma Leather using upcycled banana crop waste as feedstock.

India is one of the world’s largest producers of bananas, a crop that generates four tons of waste for every ton of edible fruit. India is also among the world’s largest leather exporters.

Banofi is 80% natural, being comprised of 60% banana fiber and 20% natural additives. It uses 90% less water and carbon dioxide than traditional animal leather. Jinali Mody launched the company in 2022 with $25,000 in funding from the Start Up Yale Sustainable Venture Prize, according to vegconomist. 

Other fruit waste leather includes persimmons, pineapple, tamarind pods, and apples.