Phool under Kanpur Flowercycling Private Limited (KFPL), which is the world’s first such company that makes products made out of monumental ‘temple-waste’, is now coming up with bags in partnership with Tommy Hilfiger’s parent company PVH Corporation. PVH Corporation, a globally famous fashion company, is the parent company of Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.
These bags will be made out of the material which according to the company is known as “Fleather” which is being produced by Phool.
Fleather is a sustainable alternative to animal leather made from flower waste. It is a high-performing material that resembles all the properties of conventional leather but is non-animal and non-plastic.
Over a telephonic conversation, Phool founder, Ankit Agarwal told ET NOW that “Tommy Hilfiger’s parent company, PVH Corporation is partnering with us and will use our manufactured material, i.e fleather to make non-leather bags
“Through its unique flower cycling technology, the startup is trying to revolutionize the way India handles its million-ton temple flower waste problem,” says Nachiket Kuntla, the R&D Head of Phool Co
Forbes 30 under 30 CEO Ankit Agarwal says “Fleather perfectly mimics the aesthetics of leather in terms of look, feel, touch, texture, etc for which leather is widely famous. It also showcases physical properties resembling leather such as tensile strength, tear strength, elasticity, flexibility, and breathability. On the front of insulation abilities, Fleather proves itself superior as its thermal resistivity value is higher than that of leather which means a fleather jacket would be warmer than a leather one.”
As adaptive in nature, fleather can be customized in an endless range of colours, textures, embossed patterns, and thicknesses which is capable of holding industrial-grade sewing. Fleather has been tested as a non-sensitizer for skin, therefore safe for human usage.
Fleather is a full-proof package that offers a customer a cruelty-free, ethical, and eco-friendly choice to have all the design possibilities of leather, but none of its vices.
When asked about how did the idea of fleather originate? Ankit Agarwal who is also a UN Young Leader for Sustainable Development Goals mentioned, “We observed a thick, fluffy layer over unused flower pile and were intrigued what it was. The touch felt familiar.
Eventually, we figured out it was like leather. A deep dive into it allowed us to understand that a certain kind of fermentation had occurred that gave rise to the leather-like layer. We asked a simple question; can we mimic the phenomenon in the lab? Our research efforts in that direction led to the discovery of Fleather.”
Bags made out of fleather will be the first of their kind in the world!
“Growing up in the city of Kanpur, the leather hub of India, I have always witnessed the ill effects of the conventional leather industry and wanted to do something about it. I found my solution in the form of Fleather,” says Ankit
Phool is commonly famous for its incense cones and sticks, and essential oils.
