Substanz for IRO Ledermanufaktur
Substanz has been appointed as the sourcing and curation partner for the bio-based and vegan materials division of the eCommerce platform of IRO Ledermanufaktur.
Originally specialising in traditional leather-making supplies — including tools, threads, trims and leather — IRO Ledermanufaktur expanded its offering into bio-based leather alternatives and innovative sustainable materials in response to changing demand in the leather market.
Substanz supports this expansion through material sourcing and curation, drawing on its network of material R&D companies and innovators to identify and select new biomaterials and bio-based materials suitable for fashion, accessories and craft applications.
The curated assortment gives designers, makers and small brands access to next-generation materials in very small quantities, in some cases starting from A4 samples. This lowers the entry barrier for independent designers exploring new materials, while helping material innovators increase the market adoption of their technologies.
Material Selection Criteria
Materials selected by Substanz are assessed against defined criteria, including:
Fully biodegradable — capable of complete decomposition within approximately one year, without microplastic shedding
Minimum 95% bio-based content
Strong focus on circular materials, including materials made from food and agricultural waste streams
Natural or semi-synthetic biodegradable linings, such as Lyocell
Performance tested to ISO standards aligned with conventional leather requirements
FSC or BCI certification for virgin plant-based inputs
FCF-free and bluesign®-certified finishes, particularly for canvas materials
Non-toxic, natural dye systems
100% vegan composition
Through this partnership, Substanz helps make sustainable materials, biomaterials and bio-based leather alternatives more accessible to designers and makers, supporting wider adoption of circular economy solutions within fashion and environmental fashion.
