Surat Industrialist Turns Apple Waste into Vegan Leather for Global Market

Surat | Gujarat — How about wearing a leather jacket, shoe or donning a wallet or purse that may be expensive, but doesn’t hurt animals, make you feel bad and is based on the idea of caring for earth. This may sound good to be true, but it’s real. A textile industrialist from the diamond city of Surat has made ‘Vegan Leather’ from apple waste generated by the apple juice manufacturing based in Himachal Pradesh. 

The Surat-based Himalaya Group runs two food processing plants in Himachal Pradesh, where waste is generated after making apple juice. In Himachal, apple waste cannot be directly thrown in the garbage, which poses a big challenge.

It mainly consists of apple waste generated from apple juice, i.e., the leftover pomace and peel of apple. It is also known as AppleSkin, a type of faux leather fabric.

While researching how to use this waste, the company came up with the idea that a leather-like material can be made from this waste. The company researched and finally succeeded in making vegan leather from apple waste. The company has now applied for a trademark for this product. Leather is also in demand in the global market.

The path of research in ethanol production has also been opened

The company has also obtained a license for apple spirit. For this, a tie-up has been done with a French company.

This will enable research and development of spirit production from fruit waste. Considering the increasing use of fruit waste in the petroleum sector due to its spirit production, new doors will open for ethanol production from waste. This innovative effort by Surat industrialists has not only solved the problem of apple waste disposal, but has also created a new direction of one-product waste management and vegan leather in the global market.

The leather manufacturing industry plays an important role in the production of footwear, clothing, bags, belts, and other accessories. Traditional leather is derived from the hide or skin of animals, which is closely connected to the meat industry. However, manufacturing conventional leather requires toxic metals and chemicals as well as slaughtering of animals. These environmental concerns have led to the rise of sustainable, eco-friendly and cruelty-free leather production also known as vegan leather, faux leather or synthetic leather as well. Vegan leather is a plant-based material designed to impersonate the appearance and texture of traditional leather without using any animal-based by-products. The demand for vegan leather has gained prominence in recent years as consumer preferences shift towards sustainable products.

Growth of vegan leather in India

Leather has been recognised as the most vintage material and as a symbol of wealth, status and luxury due to its historical significance, high quality craftsmanship, and exclusivity. Whereas the rising consumer preferences for ethical, cruelty-free and sustainable products have led to a sustainable shift towards vegan leather products. Besides this the rise in the number of vegans and vegetarians has influenced the demand for cruelty-free products. India’s synthetic leather market stood at Rs. 31,396 crore (US$ 3.6 billion) in 2024. The market is expected to touch Rs. 45,349 crore (US$ 5.2 billion) by 2033, with CAGR of 4.03% during 2025-33.

“The use of apple waste had become a constant concern. After long-term research, we realized that this waste can be used to make excellent quality vegan leather. Today, this leather has been sent to reputable companies in China for sampling and testing, and there is also a demand for it.”  Ravi Raj Desai, Managing Director, Himalaya Group