Designer Turns Fruit Skins Into Leather Alternative
PEEL, a biodegradable material made from discarded salak and lychee skins, has won the iF Design Student Award 2026.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Accessories
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Nefeli Vitoraki has created PEEL, a biodegradable leather alternative made from discarded tropical salak and lychee skins. The material has estimated carbon dioxide emissions up to 95% lower than leather and synthetic substitutes and is fully compostable at the end of its life.
Why it matters
Conventional leather relies on toxic tanning chemicals and carries a substantial carbon footprint, while synthetic vegan substitutes are largely petroleum-based and not biodegradable. PEEL tests whether overlooked fruit waste can become a functional material in its own right.
PEEL's carbon dioxide emissions are estimated at up to 95% lower than leather and synthetic substitutes, based on the designer's own assessment. Over fifty tests were run across six fruit varieties, and the material has remained stable in samples for over a year, though commercial production has not yet begun.
The players
Nefeli Vitoraki
A designer who grew up in Indonesia surrounded by salak and lychee and is based in the United Kingdom, where she created PEEL.
Imperial College London
A British university where PEEL was created and with which Vitoraki is working to bring the material to commercial release.
Royal College of Art
A London postgraduate art and design institution where PEEL was shown in 2026.
The details
The skins are collected after the fruits have been eaten, then go through a controlled low-heat drying process and treatment with naturally derived materials. The treated peels are stitched by sewing machine onto cotton muslin or linen backing. So far, PEEL has featured in a white oak stool with a salak peel seat and a bag made from salak and lychee peels.
Timeline
2026: PEEL won the iF Design Student Award and was selected for three further showcases and programmes.
2026: PEEL was exhibited at Materials Research Exchange and Following Fallowing.
Roadmap
Animal leather and petroleum-based synthetic substitutes have dominated accessory manufacturing for decades, with synthetic options often marketed as the lower-impact choice despite not being biodegradable. PEEL offers a third path by reusing agricultural fruit waste as the base material.
For consumers, PEEL is not yet available to purchase, and no price has been announced. Anyone interested in lower-impact accessories can currently watch for the two existing PEEL-featured products and the planned commercial release.
The takeaway
Fruit waste that is usually thrown away can be turned into a material that is biodegradable and far lower in estimated emissions than conventional leather. Consumers choosing accessories can look for materials whose end-of-life impact is stated clearly.
What happens next
Vitoraki plans sourcing partnerships with Indonesian fruit processing factories and production as a small local workshop in fruit-growing communities, with commercial release being pursued alongside Imperial College London.
Further reading
For more on how materials like this are changing bags and footwear, explore the Accessories section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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Would you buy a bag or shoes made from fruit-skin leather alternatives?
