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Taiwan Pineapples Power Eco-Friendly Leather: PEEL Lab Attracts Chanel and Hermès
"Japan, as the host of the previous Olympics, being chosen as VivaTech's Country of the Year carries a sense of legacy," the host remarked at the VivaTech opening ceremony while introducing the Japan Pavilion. The selection was attributed to Japan's strong support for startups in recent years and its efforts in sustainability.
Among the exhibits at the Japan Pavilion is a startup that has turned 'pineapple leaves' into leather materials. This sustainable innovation has caught the attention of major luxury brands like Chanel, LVMH, and Hermès. The company behind this innovation is PEEL Lab, and a portion of their pineapple leaf raw materials even comes from Taiwan.
"With the right technology, I can turn others' trash into cash," PEEL Lab founder Jim Huang said with a smile (pictured above).
Startup Inspiration: I Want to Be a Responsible Dad!
PEEL Lab isn't Jim Huang's first venture, but all his startups have revolved around the issue of 'food waste.’
"I want to be a responsible dad, and that doesn't just mean taking good care of my children; it also means providing them with a good living environment," Jim Huang said with a smile. Coming from a finance background, he has always had an entrepreneurial dream. He achieved this by assisting lab researchers in commercializing their technologies and co-founding companies.
Moved by the food waste situation in Japan and the high pollution levels in Southeast Asia, Jim Huang chose to focus his entrepreneurial efforts on food waste and sustainability. 'Everyone has their own impact, no matter how big or small. Everyone can make a difference,' he said.
Jim Huang's first startup turned leftover bread into beer, and his second venture used insect protein for pet food. 'This time, I want to create a tangible product,' said Jim Huang. The fibers of pineapple leaves are extremely durable and suitable for making leather. While PEEL Lab is not the first startup to create leather from pineapple leaves, it has two significant advantages over its competitors.
Winning Edge: It's Not the Technology, It's the Business Model
In simple terms, the technology for turning pineapple leaf fibers into plant-based leather is similar across companies. Pineapple leaves are placed in a sealed chamber to remove the pectin, resulting in fibers that are soft and breathable. After waxing and embossing, the fibers can be made into leather, which also becomes waterproof.
PEEL Lab's two major advantages are:
1.Geographical Advantage
Jim Huang explained that Asia is a major region for pineapple production. Compared to their Western counterparts who need to transport pineapple leaves over long distances, Japan-based PEEL Lab can obtain raw materials at a lower cost and with reduced carbon emissions.”
2.Beyond Pineapples: Utilizing Other Fruit Fibers
Jim Huang revealed that PEEL Lab's technology has advanced to the point where it can extract fibers from other discarded fruits with the same durability as pineapple fibers. This allows for a wider range of raw materials and reduces the risks associated with relying on a single source.
"The hardest part of this business is actually gathering unwanted pineapple leaves," Jim Huang said with a smile. Fortunately, during his previous ventures, he lived in Thailand and Vietnam for over 10 years, which helped him build the needed resources and connections to reach local farmers.
PEEL Lab to Explore Taiwanese Market and Pineapple Leaves
In addition to Thailand and Vietnam, PEEL Lab recently came to Taiwan through Garage+ and JETRO to explore pineapple leaf raw materials and market demand.
Jim Huang stated that PEEL Lab's business model is project-based B2B, pricing products based on customer needs for pineapple leaf leather. Currently, they have around 60 clients, including major Japanese car manufacturers and Red Bull. Even the Japanese government has collaborated with them to create school bags for elementary students. At VivaTech, they attracted inquiries from renowned brands such as Chanel, LVMH, Hermès, Airbus, Alfa Romeo, Balenciaga, and KERING S.A.
"We currently have offices in Thailand, the United States, and Japan, and we are observing the European market, including Portugal, Spain, and France. We hope to deepen our cooperation in the European market through the VivaTech exhibition," said Jim Huang.
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