WEARABLE SCIENCE
Sourcing the Future of Fashion
Substanz promotes the bio-based and circular economy by connecting fashion brands with verified bio-based and low-impact materials — from vegan leather alternatives and innovative textiles to specialist trims.
MATERIAL SOURCING
Verified materials, ready to source
Every material is vetted for origin, composition, and certifications before it reaches our network.
MIRUM® is a 100% bio-based leather alternative developed by Natural Fiber Welding. It delivers the appearance of premium coated leather with a natural, non-plasticky hand feel and a neutral scent.
With its thickness and structure, MIRUM® is particularly suited to structured bags, small leather goods and accessories with top machine stitching. It is not recommended for garments or designs requiring significant drape, heavy pleating or high seam tension.
Material & Composition
MIRUM® is 100% USDA Certified BioPreferred® and completely plastic-free. It is made from FSC-certified natural rubber, plant oils, agricultural by-products including cork and coconut husk, natural fibres, mineral fillers and natural pigments.
Bio-based content: 100%
Petroleum-based PU / PVC: None
Biodegradability
MIRUM® is fully biodegradable.
Performance
MIRUM® is water-resistant and has demonstrated strong durability in commercial use. While ISO durability testing is not currently available, the material has been adopted by multiple brands and has received consistently positive long-term user feedback.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Backing: Lyocell jersey
Colours / Finishes: Olive Pebbled, Cognac Pebbled
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / heat stamping: May produce inconsistent results and is not generally recommended
Manufacturing: Illinois, USA
European supply: Warehouse in Germany
Scent: Neutral, natural scent with no noticeable plasticky odour
Applications
MIRUM® is best suited to structured bags, small leather goods, belts, accessories and top-stitched designs where stability and a premium leather-like appearance are required.
MIRUM® is part of the growing field of biomaterials and sustainable materials, offering a bio-based leather alternative made entirely without plastic. Its use of natural rubber, plant-based ingredients and agricultural by-products provides a new material option for brands producing garments and accessories while contributing to the development of more circular economy solutions in fashion.
B2B Orders
For B2B orders, please contact info@substanz.team.
Elevate™ Signature Pebble is a bio-based leather alternative developed by Uncaged Innovations. It features a soft, premium grained leather appearance with a natural, non-plasticky hand feel.
Designed for structured, flat and top-stitched designs, Signature Pebble is particularly suited to bags, accessories and other fashion applications requiring low stretch and minimal drape.
Material & Composition
95% bio-based plant content / 5% mineral content: made from non-food agricultural grain by-products, creating a circular use for agricultural resources without competing with the food chain. USDA Certified BioPreferred®
Natural, non-toxic, petroleum-free pigments and chemistry
No petroleum-based PU or PVC
Biodegradability
A third-party Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) reports 33% biodegradation within the first six months under the tested conditions. The material contains less than 1% bio-based PU coating, which does not prevent overall biodegradation. Third-party documentation is available upon request.
Performance
Developed to meet key ISO performance standards for fashion applications. Its solid grain-protein core accounts for approximately 85–90% of the material, avoiding the conventional surface film used in laminated synthetic leathers and helping prevent peeling over time.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.9–1.1 mm
Backing: 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton interlock
Stretch: Low
Finish: Signature Pebble
Water resistance: ISO Water Spotting Grade 5 — 16 hours without bubbling or halo formation.
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / stamping: Not recommended
Manufacturing: New York State, USA
Current batch: Amber wood fragrance
Applications
Signature Pebble is suitable for structured bags, accessories, flat constructions, top machine-stitch designs and other applications requiring a stable material with minimal drape.
The growing field of biomaterials and sustainable materials is creating new possibilities for fashion. Elevate™ Signature Pebble offers a bio-based leather alternative, supporting the development of circular economy solutions for garments and accessories.
Sample Book & B2B Orders
Sample book: €30 — select in the Colour / Size drop-down menu.
For B2B orders, please contact info@substanz.team.
Elevate™ Luxe is a bio-based leather alternative developed by Uncaged Innovations.
Suitable for soft, draped garments, bags, accessories and quilted designs requiring medium stretch, Elevate™ Luxe offers an alternative to conventional natural and synthetic leather without petroleum-based PU or PVC.
Available exclusively in Onyx Black with a Napa finish.
Material & Composition
95% bio-based plant content / 5% mineral content: Made from non-food agricultural grain by-products, creating a circular use for agricultural resources without competing with the food chain. USDA Certified BioPreferred®
Natural, non-toxic, petroleum-free pigments and chemistry
No petroleum-based PU or PVC
Biodegradability
A third-party Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) reports 33% biodegradation within the first six months under the tested conditions. The material contains less than 1% bio-based PU coating, which does not prevent overall biodegradation. Third-party documentation available upon request.
Performance
Developed to meet 10 key ISO performance standards for leather fashion applications. Its solid grain-protein core accounts for approximately 85–90% of the material, avoiding the conventional surface film used in laminated synthetic leathers. Technical sheet available on request.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 0.7–0.8 mm
Backing: 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell interlock
Stretch: Medium
Water resistance: ISO Water Spotting Grade 5 — 16 hours without bubbling or halo formation.
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / stamping: Not recommended
Manufacturing: New York State, USA
Current batch: Amber wood fragrance
The growing field of biomaterials and sustainable materials is creating new possibilities for fashion. Elevate™ Luxe offers brands a bio-based leather alternative, supporting the development of circular economy solutions for garments and accessories.
B2B Orders
For B2B orders, please contact info@substanz.team.
MIRUM® is a 100% bio-based leather alternative developed by Natural Fiber Welding. It delivers the appearance of premium coated leather with a natural, non-plasticky hand feel and a neutral scent.
With its thickness and structure, MIRUM® is particularly suited to structured bags, small leather goods and accessories with top machine stitching. It is not recommended for garments or designs requiring significant drape, heavy pleating or high seam tension.
Material & Composition
MIRUM® is 100% USDA Certified BioPreferred® and completely plastic-free. It is made from FSC-certified natural rubber, plant oils, agricultural by-products including cork and coconut husk, natural fibres, mineral fillers and natural pigments.
Bio-based content: 100%
Petroleum-based PU / PVC: None
Biodegradability
MIRUM® is fully biodegradable.
Performance
MIRUM® is water-resistant and has demonstrated strong durability in commercial use. While ISO durability testing is not currently available, the material has been adopted by multiple brands and has received consistently positive long-term user feedback.
Technical Specifications
Thickness: 1.2 mm
Backing: Lyocell jersey
Colours / Finishes: Olive Pebbled, Cognac Pebbled
Engraving: Suitable for laser engraving
Embossing / heat stamping: May produce inconsistent results and is not generally recommended
Manufacturing: Illinois, USA
European supply: Warehouse in Germany
Scent: Neutral, natural scent with no noticeable plasticky odour
Applications
MIRUM® is best suited to structured bags, small leather goods, belts, accessories and top-stitched designs where stability and a premium leather-like appearance are required.
MIRUM® is part of the growing field of biomaterials and sustainable materials, offering a bio-based leather alternative made entirely without plastic. Its use of natural rubber, plant-based ingredients and agricultural by-products provides a new material option for brands producing garments and accessories while contributing to the development of more circular economy solutions in fashion.
B2B Orders
For B2B orders, please contact info@substanz.team.
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUTTI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
· LINEARITY · NULL GRAD · LOOMMU · CONFITURE · ESTER CELLUTTI · LUCKY NELLY · IRO · MACNAS · ANJARA · ARTAVAZD · LOUÉ · University of the Arts London · CISL Alumni · Singapore Fashion Council
TRUSTED MATERIAL SUPPLIER & CONSULTANT TO 20+ BRANDS & INSTITUTIONS
CONSULTANCY
Sustainable materials strategy for fashion brands
From material selection and sourcing to prototyping and production, we help brands make better material decisions and build more reliable supply chains.
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General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are designed for fashion brands, designers and businesses looking for expert guidance on a specific question, challenge or decision related to sustainable materials, bio-materials, sourcing or product development.
These are conversational, focused sessions designed to provide practical insights and help you make informed decisions. You can use the consultation to explore an idea, discuss potential solutions, validate an approach or better understand the available material options.
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Material Selection for Application & Design helps fashion brands navigate the rapidly evolving universe of bio-materials and identify the right sustainable materials for a specific product, design and production process.
We assess performance, aesthetics, technical requirements, material cost and intended application to identify bio materials that are not only a strong fit for the design, but also support the brand’s sustainability and environmental goals.
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We aggregate material orders from multiple brands to help fashion companies meet minimum order quantities (MOQs) and access lower pricing tiers. By combining demand across brands, we can help smaller orders benefit from volume-based pricing while reducing the barriers to accessing innovative sustainable materials.
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We use our access to material producers and suppliers to help fashion brands source the complete sustainable materials package for a design — from shell and lining materials to trims, hardware and other components.
Our sourcing service can cover materials featured on the Substanz sourcing platform as well as materials not currently listed on the platform, allowing us to source according to the specific requirements of each project.
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From first prototype to final production, we connect brands with our network of 25+ trusted European manufacturers specialising in bags, accessories and garments, with experience working with innovative materials and biomaterials. We support material sourcing, sampling, product development and production coordination, helping you navigate technical requirements, minimum order quantities and quality standards while turning your concept into a production-ready product.
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Produced a design but still have extra panels, sheets or linear metres of bio-material left over? We can help you sell excess stock and unlock working capital.
Through our network of fashion brands and designers, we can connect your excess material stock with businesses looking for materials for trims, smaller production runs, prototypes or other applications.
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We help innovative material and fashion brands build visibility and connect with the right industry audiences through targeted marketing, PR and B2B placement. We collaborate with high-profile fashion stylists and styling influencers, and can arrange product placements in leading magazines and during fashion weeks. With a network of 60+ B2B buyers globally, we help brands generate industry exposure, build commercial connections and create opportunities for market entry and growth.
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We create unique, elaborate prototypes that showcase bio-based leather alternatives in their most compelling form. Designed primarily for showrooms, trade fairs, exhibitions and industry presentations rather than commercial production, each piece is developed to highlight the material’s distinctive qualities, textures and creative potential. From sculptural accessories to statement garments and experimental objects, we transform innovative biomaterials into striking physical showcases that capture attention and communicate their possibilities to brands, designers and industry professionals.
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We hold stock of Orange Fiber® blend fabric suitable for foulards, twillies, blouses and lightweight garments. We can develop bespoke print designs tailored to your brand or collection and produce them directly on Orange Fiber® blend fabric in Como, Italy. From creative concept and digital artwork to final printed textiles, we offer an end-to-end service for distinctive, high-quality Orange Fiber® applications.
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We help fashion brands understand the Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements applicable to their products and prepare for the implementation of emerging EU product and sustainability legislation.
We also offer DPP Integration Consultancy for brands requiring more comprehensive support. We provide hands-on consultancy to help integrate DPP requirements into the brand’s existing processes, product data and information systems.
Coming in October 2026.
TESTIMONIALS
What partners say
"Working with Anastasia is like unlocking a secret superpower. She moves effortlessly between craft, concept, and people — she makes things work."
Revoltech, Material R&D company
"Anastasia, through Substanz, has become a key figure in the world of bio-based materials — one of the only real bridges between emerging materials and production."
Confiture, Independent Brand
"We are truly thrilled with the products – they are beautiful. We're especially pleased because we have worked for a long time to make the material easier to work with and to find someone capable of showcasing it at its best. We believe we have achieved both goals"
Grado Zero, Material R&D company
KNOWLEDGE
Want to go deeper into materials science?
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bio-materials are not like conventional materials — each has its own qualities, characteristics and behaviour in production. Substanz combines the capabilities of a sourcing platform with expert consulting, enabling brands to make informed decisions when selecting materials.
We don’t simply list suppliers — we understand how each material performs in real-world production, helping brands avoid the technical and sourcing challenges that often emerge later in self-sourced projects. This approach also helps material producers avoid improper applications and negative experiences with their materials by ensuring that each material is matched with suitable products and production processes.
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The aim of the Substanz platform is to make new bio-materials easier to understand and more accessible to brands, while eliminating unnecessary price mark-ups compared with conventional material sourcing.
Our pricing model is designed to give brands direct access to producer-level material pricing, without additional intermediary mark-ups. The platform itself is financed by material producers through membership fees and by the cash flow generated from Substanz’s consulting services. This allows us to separate the cost of our expertise and platform from the price of the materials themselves, creating greater transparency for both brands and material producers.
Our ultimate goal is to grow the European bio-materials market and expand their applications, while facilitating the development and adoption of circular economy solutions. By connecting innovative material producers with brands, designers and manufacturers, Substanz helps accelerate the transition from material innovation to real-world applications and market adoption.
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Substanz promotes the bio-economy and circular economy in Europe by facilitating access to locally and globally produced bio-materials and supporting brands in material decision-making.
For EU-produced materials, all materials are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly to you from EU producers, making the sourcing process simple and efficient while eliminating unnecessary intermediaries.
Samples, colour cards and prototyping quantities from non-EU suppliers are kept in Substanz’s European stock and are available for direct purchase. Commercial quantities are ordered through Substanz and shipped directly from the producer.
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Browse our source materials to see what's currently available, or book a consultation if you'd rather talk through your project first.
Most brands start with a short call so we can point them to the right materials from day one — no generic catalogue browsing required.
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Both. We've worked with independent brands, material R&D companies developing exhibition pieces, independent designers sourcing fabrics for a single collection, and established brands building full circular economy supply chains.
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Our consulting services are divided into General Consultations and Consulting Projects.
General Consultations can be booked on an hourly basis and are typically focused on a specific topic or question based on the brand’s needs. These sessions are conversational and designed to provide expert guidance and practical insights. No referrals or follow-up deliverables are included.
Consulting Projects are goal-oriented engagements focused on a specific outcome, such as identifying a suitable material or finding the right manufacturing partner. Projects are quoted at a flat rate based on an agreed scope of deliverables from Substanz. The available types of consulting projects and their respective scopes can be found on our Consultancy page.
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Before listing any material, Substanz reviews and verifies the claims provided by the producer and collects supporting documentation and certification evidence. This means brands do not need to repeat the same due diligence themselves and can rely on verified information when evaluating materials and developing their own communications.
Certification packages and supporting documentation are available upon request or provided with the material order.
STAY INFORMED