Uncaged

About Uncaged

UNCAGED Innovations is a biomaterials company combining the power of nature and technology to reimagine leather. The unique bio-interfusion process leverages structural proteins as the nexus to create nanofibril networks that mimic leather. The quality and performance of traditional leather comes from the protein structure of collagen.

UNCAGED leverages structural proteins to replace animal collagen, enabling the creation of a fibre that looks, feels, and performs like leather. The bio-interfusion platform uses plant proteins as the backbone and fuses in bio- based elements that each provide unique characteristics, such as texture, strength, stretch, flexibility, water resistance, colour and fragrance. The Uncaged technology platform enables tuning of the formulation to meet different performance specifications. UNCAGED leverages the strength of nature and forges it with biochemistry to create innovations that do not sacrifice performance.

The idea for Bioleather was sparked after studying leather fibrils at the ultrastructure and molecular levels. Uncaged identified plant-based biomaterial elements that provide similar scaffolding functions to collagen, the main protein in animal hides, and developed a unique formulation leveraging crosslinking chemistry and polymer chain plasticisation to create an interpenetrating network that mimics the mechanical function of animal leather. Decades of experience in protein self-assembly and modification went into identifying the biomaterial combinations that yield specific performance metrics and technology platform that fuses biomaterials to achieve the look and feel desired by brands.

Uncaged Bioleather can be tuned to requirements for thickness, texture, colour, strength and stretch. The textile backings fused with their bio-leather do not require any adhesive and can be customised including GOTS certified cotton and GRS certified fibres. Their biomaterial is PETA Vegan Approved. They will soon be obtaining FSC certification and USDA certification.

About Uncaged Bioleather

Uncaged leverages structural proteins to replace animal collagen to create a material that looks, feels, and performs like leather. The idea for Bioleather was sparked after studying leather fibrils at the ultrastructure and molecular levels. Our bio-interfusion platform uses structural proteins as the backbone and fuses in bio-based elements that each provide unique characteristics. The formulation of Bioleathercan be tuned to meet difference performance specifications across fashion, interior and automotive industries.

Applications:

Small Leather Goods | Bags | Footwear | Interiors | Automotive

Advantages:

Customizable | Cost Competitive | Scalable Roll to Roll Manufacturing | Consistent Quality.

In comparison to animal leather, Bioleather emits 95% less GHG while using 93% less water and 72% less energy.