Flaura OutspeedFunding project card image

Flaura, Plant-Based Leather

Québec, Québec

High-quality leather made from Quebec apple residues

Description

At Flaura, we transform apples into durable and natural leather, introducing North America's first high-quality, 100% bio-based leather.

Our Mission We want to inspire future generations by promoting a healthy planet. Utilizing innovative technology, we create premium leathers from organic waste in Quebec’s agri-food industry. Flaura provides ethical and sustainable leather solutions for several industries, aiming to reduce their carbon footprint . Our leather contains no animal by-products and no plastic, instead using Quebec apple powder, bio-based polymers, and other renewable inputs. We are finally ready to introduce our creation to you, and we are extremely proud of it!

Our Journey Our journey started with the vision of creating a sustainable and chic alternative to traditional leather. Flaura will be the leader in North America in producing high-end apple-based leathers for the fashion, apparel, furniture, and automotive sectors. We are the first to offer luxury leather from Quebec apples that is 100% bio-sourced. Our Ambition Our goal is to launch the commercialization of our premium bio-sourced apple leather in autumn 2024 and become self-sufficient by acquiring new equipment by 2027. This includes the introduction of new colors and textures to diversify our offerings, developing new innovative leathers from Quebec's organic residues, and expanding beyond Quebec’s market. Indeed, the global market for vegan fashion is projected to reach $1095.6 billion USD by 2027, with the plant-based leather market expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.5%, reaching 66 billion USD. North America is anticipated to account for 22 billion USD of this market.

Financing Flaura's journey has been supported by various financing sources: - Approximately $150,000 CAD from grants and love money for standard prototyping, pre-commercialization, and scaling up in outsourcing; - $100,000 CAD successfully funded through crowdfunding; - $250,000 CAD in investment to raise to support our marketing and sales efforts during the first two years of commercialization

Impact

Responsible consumption and production

life on land

Reducing Waste Each year, Quebec’s juice and ice cider industry produces an abundance of pomace, and Flaura’s process repurposes 84,000 tonnes of this resource into our durable leather. Animal farming accounts for 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the United Nations. By promoting the use of organic, renewable resources, and avoiding animal by-products and plastics, Flaura’s leather production supports a circular economy and reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional leather production. Promoting Sustainability The use of bio-based materials - materials whose original source is biological - reduces dependence on non-renewable resources and helps to lower carbon footprint. These raw materials are renewable and derived from biomass, distinguishing them from fossil or non-renewable raw materials, and emitting significantly lower kgCO2eq/m2. High-Quality Alternative Our products are not only environmentally friendly but also durable, offering a high-quality alternative to traditional leather that meets the needs of modern consumers.

Company

Flaura was founded by Fannie Laroche, a fashion stylist with ten years of experience, and Grégory Hersant, an expert in green chemistry. In 2021, they discovered the potential of transforming apple residues into high-quality, flexible, and timeless textile material. Their combined expertise in design and sustainable technology drives Flaura’s innovative approach to eco-friendly leather production. Having built a dedicated team that shares their vision of sustainability and innovation, Fannie’s passion for reducing textile waste and Grégory’s dedication to valorizing waste materials ensure that Flaura is well-positioned to lead in the sustainable leather market. By fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, Flaura aims to create a lasting impact in the textile industry, with their vision including expanding internationally and continuously innovating with new materials and designs.

The Team

Fannie Laroche

Co-Founder & President

Gregory Hersant

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer