Learning
About Malai®
Malai® coconut leather is an innovative, sustainable leather made from bacterial cellulose extracted from coconut waste. This vegan alternative is biodegradable, durable, and versatile, suitable for fashion and accessories.
About Malai®
Malai started as a research project of two people, Susmith and Zuzana. They met in Mumbai in 2015, by which time Zuzana had already been working for over three years on bacterial cellulose as a material. She was keen to explore the potential in India for employing a traditional bacterial-cellulose growth process used in the Philippines. In 2017 they moved to a coconut-cultivating region in Southern India and began working full-time to develop Malai and to consider in what context this new material could be applied. They chose to target it towards the sustainable fashion market, because of its aesthetic appeal and with a view that fashion is the second most polluting industry, beaten only by oil.
Why Coconut
Coconut farmers and processing plants find themselves with 'waste' coconut water after they've removed the harvest of white flesh from inside the mature coconuts. As a result, even small processing plants dispose 1,000s of gallons of coconut waste water are disposed into a drainage system and cause pollution of water and soil to become acidified. By using coconut waste water to produce a vegan leather, it reduces the enviornmental impact of coconut farming.
Production Process
- Collection and Sterilization of Coconut Water: Malai collaborates with local farmers and processing units in Southern India to collect waste coconut water. This water is then sterilized in vats, creating an energy-rich, natural nutrient base for bacterial culture.
- Fermentation: The sterilized coconut water is combined with a cellulose-forming bacterial culture. This mixture undergoes fermentation for approximately 12 to 14 days.
- Refinement and Addition of Natural Fibers: Post-fermentation, the material is refined by adding natural fibers, gums, and resins. This step allows the material to be formed into flat sheets.
- Dyeing Process: Malai uses a patented cold-batch method for dyeing, employing mordant-free, plant-based dyes to achieve a range of colors.
- Material Properties: The final product, Malai, is light, flexible, and durable, comparable to leather or paper. It is water-resistant and does not contain any artificial chemicals, making it non-irritant and hypoallergenic. Malai is also hygroscopic and has shape memory.
Award-Winning Product
Winner of the Circular Design Challenge 2020: Malai® won India’s biggest fashion sustainability award, the Circular Design Challenge, run by IMG Reliance & UN India in February 2020. This award recognized Malai’s unique approach to circular fashion.
Index Award 2021 Nomination: Malai was nominated for the Index Award in 2021 under the 'Body' category, highlighting its focus on responsible consumption and production.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Malai Eco, coconut leather will last 4-8 years if properly cared for.
Once you are ready to dispose of coconut leather, it can be places in compost, and it will naturally break down.
Since coconut leather is a natural product, it is sensitive to humidity. To ensure it remains at its best, we suggest applying coconut oil to ensure it remains moisturized. This is especially advisable during hot, dry weather or after cleaning.
If you find yourself with spill, mold, or dust on the coconut leather, use ethanol or IPA and a clean cloth, then wipe off the contents and let it air-dry.
