**Executive Summary**
This document details the granting of licenses for the commercial use of vegan leather alternatives by CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) to seven industries/enterprises. The vegan leather is derived from materials like mango peels and rice-wheat residue. Information was submitted on February 4th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Licensing and Production:**
* CSIR-CLRI has granted licenses to seven industries/enterprises for commercial use of vegan leather alternatives.
* Vegan leather is developed from mango peels, rice-wheat residue, etc.
* Products prepared include lifestyle products (wallets, handbags, accessories) and sheet materials for lifestyle and footwear applications.
* **Characterization Studies:**
* CSIR-CLRI conducted studies on leather-like materials produced from wheat, rice straw, and mango pulp.
* Studies covered cost aspects in pilot and industrial-scale production, indicating a 50% cost reduction compared to conventional leather.
* Studies analyzed physical and mechanical characteristics; vegan materials showed comparable durability and performance to leather, with superior biodegradability.
* **Institute Commitment:**
* The institute is committed to high-end product development through application-oriented testing and regulatory compliance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industries/Enterprises with Licenses**
* **Impact**
* Opportunity to produce and sell vegan leather products commercially.
* Potential for reduced production costs compared to conventional leather.
* Access to materials suitable for lifestyle and footwear applications.
* **Action Required**
* Utilize the licensed technology to manufacture and market vegan leather products.
* Adhere to regulatory compliance standards.
**Consumers**
* **Impact**
* Increased availability of sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to conventional leather products.
* Access to potentially lower-cost leather-like goods.
* **Action Required**
* Consider purchasing vegan leather alternatives to support sustainable practices.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai: Primary entity conducting research and granting licenses for vegan leather alternatives.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR): Parent organization of CSIR-CLRI.
Vegan Leather Alternatives: The central topic of the Parliament Question and the research conducted by CSIR-CLRI.
Ministry of Science & Technology
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: COMMERCIAL USE
OF VEGAN LEATHER ALTERNATIVES
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 4:52PM by PIB Delhi
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai – A constituent laboratory of Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has granted license to seven (07) industries/enterprises for
commercial use of vegetarian/vegan leather-like materials developed from mango peels, rice-wheat
residue etc. The products prepared so far by the licensee industries/enterprises are as follows:
Lifestyle products, including wallets, handbags, accessories, and allied consumer goods
Sheet materials for use in Lifestyle products and footwear applications.
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai has conducted characterization studies on
the leather-like materials produced from wheat and rice straw and mango pulp. The studies covered:
Cost aspects, such as capital and production cost, particularly at pilot and industrial-scale production
environments. The studies indicate that the production cost of the developed materials is approximately
50% lower than that of conventional leather; and
Physical and mechanical characteristics, including strength, flexibility, and suitability for different lifestyle
product applications. The durability & performance of vegan materials are nearly comparable to leather.
However, leather possesses superior strength and durability properties. The developed leather-like
materials are easily biodegradable compared to synthetic and conventional leathers.
The institute is committed to advancing high-end product development through a duel focus on
application-oriented testing and ongoing rigorous regulatory compliance. This strategic approach provides
the necessary framework for realizing sophisticated, market-ready products.
This Information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and
Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Loksabha on 4th February 2026.
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