Pangaia x Mirum

Mirum-based Cross-Body Pouch in Sakura Pink / Source: Pangaia

AfricaAsiaCorkEuropeLeatherMirumNorth AmericaOceaniaRubberSouth AmericaTextiles

3 MINUTE READ

Henry Coutinho-Mason

WHAT WE SAY:

Pangaia and Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) are a match made in plastic-free heaven.

While Pangaia prefers to be called a materials science company, its affluent customer base allows it to be a pioneer in bringing innovative textiles and materials to market. And while NFW talks about its plans to scale to millions of units, in 2022, it is still at the start of this journey. Pangaia has been open about the challenges in finding viable alt-leathers, so we love how this collaboration represents a powerful vote of confidence in NFW’s Mirum material.

KEY FACTS:

Materials science brand Pangaia partnered with NFW to release a range of plant-based alt-leather cross-body bags, wallets and cardholders made with Mirum.
Mirum is a 100% bio-based leather alternative with zero animal-based or synthetic inputs used in the binding or coating process. Mirum is fully circular because it is made from plant matter, such as natural Rubber, corn and rice husk, and from upcycled agricultural sidestreams (such as coir and Cork powder). The finished product is still a nutrient for nature.
NFW reports that the CO2 footprint of Mirum is between 3-10 times lower than leather and other alternative materials.
The collection ranges from GBP 94 to 153 (USD 115 to 187) and is widely available via the Pangaia website and retail stockists.

Composition of plant-based leather wallet in Sakura Pink / Source: Pangaia

Back of the plant-based leather card holder in Jade Green / Source: Pangaia

DIVE DEEPER:

Despite being largely plastic-free, many consider traditional animal-based leather one of the most problematic natural materials, both ethically and environmentally.
However, synthetic leather alternatives are often no better, given that many are made from synthetic materials frequently derived from fossil fuels. And even those that proclaim their natural primary ingredients usually have plastic-based additives mixed in to increase strength and durability, which means they are not biodegradable or easily recyclable, if at all.
Mirum is a composite material with all raw inputs sourced from virgin or recycled plant matter (agricultural waste) or natural inputs such as rubber and cork that are sourced from FSC-certified forests.
Mirum uses a patented, fully plant-based curative, which is sourced from renewable feedstocks and is completely petrochemical free.
As a fully nutrient-based material, Mirum is 100% recyclable and 100% circular when disassembled.
NFW has raised over USD 150 million – including USD 85 million in April 2022 – from investors, such as BMW i Ventures, Allbirds, Ralph Lauren; as well as striking partnerships with Patagonia and Richemont.
In 2021, NFW extended its Mirum production space by 110,000 square feet, with the goal of producing tens of millions of square feet of material every year.

"Mirum emits up to ten times less greenhouse gasses than synthetic leather-like materials and conventional chrome-tanned leather."

NFW

Key Design Considerations:

Sustainable feedstocks

Mirum can be made of multiple plant-based ingredients, depending on the end use case. Ensure your formulation is sourced from suitable and sustainable feedstocks.

Added features may hinder biodegradability

We were disappointed to see a magnetic clasp feature in the collection’s cross-body bag. As with all nutrient-based raw materials, a product’s end-of-life treatment is only as good as its weakest link, so ensure your finished product does not contain hard or impossible-to-recycle elements. Anya Hindmarch’s RTN bag eliminated metal fastenings in order to ensure seamless biodegradability.

Responsible disposal

Despite Mirum’s circularity, there is currently no clear way to return the items after use, either to Pangaia or NFW. Consider how you could offer customers a returns or buy-back scheme.

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Pangaia x Mirum

WHAT WE SAY:

Pangaia and Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) are a match made in plastic-free heaven.

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

Despite being largely plastic-free, many consider traditional animal-based leather one of the most problematic natural materials, both ethically and environmentally.

Mirum is a composite material with all raw inputs sourced from virgin or recycled plant matter (agricultural waste) or natural inputs such as rubber and cork that are sourced from FSC-certified forests.

Mirum uses a patented, fully plant-based curative, which is sourced from renewable feedstocks and is completely petrochemical free.

As a fully nutrient-based material, Mirum is 100% recyclable and 100% circular when disassembled.

NFW has raised over USD 150 million – including USD 85 million in April 2022 – from investors, such as BMW i Ventures, Allbirds, Ralph Lauren; as well as striking partnerships with Patagonia and Richemont.

In 2021, NFW extended its Mirum production space by 110,000 square feet, with the goal of producing tens of millions of square feet of material every year.

NFW

Key Design Considerations:

Sustainable feedstocks

Added features may hinder biodegradability

Responsible disposal

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