India Should Tap Export Of Footwear Made Of Plant-Based Materials: Exim Bank
Stella McCartney has committed to using only plant-based materials in their products including footwear. S-Wave 1 and S-Wave 2 sneakers made of grape-based alternative are described as Stella McCartney’s most sustainable trainers to date.
Chennai: As international brands promote consumption of sustainable shoes, Indian footwear manufacturers should increasingly tap the growing global market for organic leather products made from plant-based materials, finds Exim Bank.
About ten years back, Marks & Spencer unveiled its first line of sustainable shoes, called “Footglove Earth”. The fabric lining of the shoes is made from a yarn that uses ground coffee beans for production. The soles contain natural rubber and rice husks.
Stella McCartney has committed to using only plant-based materials in their products including footwear. S-Wave 1 and S-Wave 2 sneakers made of grape-based alternative are described as Stella McCartney’s most sustainable trainers to date.
Gucci launched its vegan range of shoes in 2021. Manufactured in-house, the vegan leather, called “Demetra” is made from viscose along with wood pulp compounds and recycled steel.
In regions like Europe and North America, sustainability is no longer a niche market. India stands at a strategic advantage and holds immense potential to become a global manufacturing and export hub for sustainable footwear. With its vast natural resources, strong manufacturing base, skilled labour force, and growing ecosystem of green startups, India can play a central role in the sustainable fashion supply chain.
India is rich in agricultural by-products such as banana fibres, coconut husk, hemp, jute, and sugarcane bagasse that can serve as raw materials for plant-based leathers and biodegradable shoe components. Additionally, India’s cost competitiveness makes it an attractive destination for international brands seeking to balance sustainability with affordability, finds Exim Bank.
Materials like Piñatex, made from pineapple leaf fibres, Mylo, a mushroom-based leather, apple leather, and recycled PET bottles are becoming mainstream in sustainable design.
To realise this potential, India must invest in research and development for sustainable materials, encourage public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation, and build robust supply chain traceability systems. Global buyers and markets demand transparency, third-party certifications and compliance with environmental and labour standards. END