What is UPPEAL? A New Era in Sustainable Luxury

Last month, in our Stella McCartney case study (which you can read here), we touched on UPPEAL™—a material that’s rapidly gaining traction among future-focused fashion brands. But what exactly is UPPEAL, and why is it being hailed as a game-changing alternative to traditional leather? 

The Origins of UPPEAL: From Orchard to Innovation 

Also known as AppleSkin or apple leather, UPPEAL is a bio-based vegan material developed by Mabel Industries and Frumat. This innovative textile repurposes apple waste—peels, cores, and fibres discarded from the fruit juice and jam industries—transforming them into a high-quality material that mimics the look and feel of traditional leather. 

Rather than letting these byproducts rot in landfills, UPPEAL taps into cellulose-rich apple fibres, extracting and refining them into a durable, versatile textile. The result? A material that doesn’t just look beautiful but also tackles both food waste and the environmental impact of conventional leather and plastic alternatives. 

How is UPPEAL Made? 

• Waste Collection – Apple peels and fibres are gathered from food production facilities. 

• Drying & Processing – The organic remnants are dried and ground into a fine powder. 

• Blending with Biopolymers – The powder is mixed with natural biopolymers to create a flexible base material. 

• Pressing & Finishing – The material is pressed into sheets, dyed, and textured to replicate leather’s luxurious feel. 

• Reinforcement & Coating – To enhance durability, UPPEAL is reinforced with cotton, polyester, and viscose, then coated with a thin layer of polyurethane (PU). 

While PU is a synthetic component, the overall production still has a significantly lower environmental impact than traditional leather tanning—which requires vast amounts of water, harmful chemicals, and heavy metals. 

Why is UPPEAL Considered Sustainable? 

At a glance, UPPEAL is a lower-impact alternative to leather and synthetic vegan options because: 

• It repurposes food waste, reducing organic landfill waste and methane emissions. 

• It has a lower carbon footprint than conventional leather. 

• It consumes less water and energy than traditional tanning processes. 

• It aligns with circular fashion principles, maximising the use of renewable resources. 

However, it’s not perfect. UPPEAL is not yet fully biodegradable due to the PU coating, but Mabel Industries is actively working on increasing the percentage of apple-based content and improving recyclability. Their long-term goal? A fully circular material that can be reused and repurposed at the end of its life cycle. 

This is where material innovation needs acceleration—and where brands willing to invest in R&D have an edge. At Scarlet Destiny, we keep a close eye on bio-based breakthroughs but remain realistic: many next-gen materials are still inaccessible to smaller brands due to scale, cost, and durability limitations. 

Until materials like UPPEAL evolve further, we continue to work with responsibly sourced, vegetable-tanned European leathers—ensuring that every Scarlet Destiny piece is crafted for longevity and a future where sustainability meets uncompromising quality. 

Who’s Using UPPEAL? 

Some of the industry’s most conscious fashion houses have already integrated UPPEAL into their collections: 

• Stella McCartney – Incorporates UPPEAL into luxury fashion collections, reinforcing its cruelty-free legacy. 

• O My Bag – Uses UPPEAL in its eco-conscious handbags, offering an ethical alternative to leather accessories. 

• Sans Beast – Features UPPEAL in its Transit Day Bag, Transit Mini, and Gemini Handbag, proving that sustainability and high-fashion aesthetics are not mutually exclusive. 

• Clae – The California-based footwear brand has embraced UPPEAL in its Joshua Apple Trainer, a bestseller that blends sustainability with streetwear style. 

As more brands invest in alternative materials, UPPEAL is poised to reshape the landscape of luxury fashion—but like all innovations, it needs scale, accessibility, and further refinement before it can fully replace traditional materials. 

The Future of UPPEAL & Sustainable Textiles 

UPPEAL represents an exciting shift in how we approach materials in fashion. By transforming food industry byproducts into high-performance textiles, it challenges the outdated belief that sustainability requires sacrifice. 

At Scarlet Destiny, we believe the future isn’t about eliminating materials—it’s about reimagining them. As bio-based textiles continue to evolve, we’ll be watching closely—because the future of fashion isn’t just about what we wear. It’s about how we create, innovate, and inspire. 

What do you think about UPPEAL and other bio-based materials? Let’s talk in the comments! 

Sources: equinetree.com, mabelindustries.com | Images: canva.com