**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of State for Science and Technology to Unstarred Question No. 766 concerning the commercial use of vegan leather alternatives. The response, dated April 2, 2026, addresses the technology transfer of vegan leather-like materials developed by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Technology Transfer:**
* CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, has granted licenses to seven industries/enterprises.
* The licenses are for commercial use of vegetarian/vegan leather-like materials developed from mango peels and rice-wheat residue.
* **Products Developed:**
* Licensee industries/enterprises have prepared lifestyle products, including wallets, handbags, accessories, and allied consumer goods.
* Sheet materials for use in lifestyle products and footwear applications have also been developed.
* **Comparative Study:**
* The CLRI has conducted characterization studies on leather-like materials produced from wheat, rice straw, and mango pulp.
* **Findings of the Study:**
* The production cost of the developed materials is approximately 50% lower than that of conventional leather.
* Durability and performance of vegan materials are nearly comparable to leather; however, leather possesses superior strength and durability properties.
* Developed leather-like materials are easily biodegradable compared to synthetic and conventional leathers.
* **Future Steps:**
* The institute is committed to advancing high-end product development through application-oriented testing and regulatory compliance.
* The strategic approach will provide the necessary framework for sophisticated, market-ready products.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industries/Enterprises with Licenses**
* **Impact:** They have the ability to develop and commercialize vegan leather products.
* **Action Required:** Develop and commercialize vegan leather-like materials based on the license granted. Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
**CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai**
* **Impact:** Responsible for technology transfer and further research and development in vegan leather alternatives.
* **Action Required:** Continue advancing high-end product development, application-oriented testing, and ongoing rigorous regulatory compliance.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:** Will have access to more sustainable and cost effective products.
* **Action Required:** No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI): A constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) that has granted licenses for commercial use of vegetarian/vegan leather-like materials.
Ministry of Science and Technology: The ministry responsible for the subject matter of the question related to commercial use of vegan leather alternatives.
Lok Sabha: The house of parliament where the unstarred question was raised.
Vegan Leather Alternatives: The subject of the unstarred question and the focus of the policy discussion.
Chennai: Location of CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 766
(ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026)
COMMERCIAL USE OF VEGAN LEATHER ALTERNATIVES
766. DR ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
a. the number of industries/enterprises granted technology transfer or
license for commercial use of vegetarian/vegan leather-like materials
developed from mango peels, rice-wheat residue etc. by the Central
Leather Research Institute (CLRI) and the products being develoed
from them so far;
b. whether the CLRI conducted any comparative study of products
made from vegan leather alternatives with conventional leather
products in terms of cost, durability performance, environmental
impact and consumer utility; and
c. if so, the major findings of the study and the steps proposed for
further research and commercialization based on these?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR THE MINISTRY OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
a. 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-wheatresidue 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.
(b)&(c) Yes. 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.
*******