BELEAF

beLEAF™ is a biobased material produced from the leaves of the Elephant Ear plant (Alocasia macrorrhiza). Developed by Nova Kaeru in Brazil, the material utilises the natural structure of the leaf to create a flexible sheet material suitable for a range of design and product applications.

The leaves are cultivated and harvested in areas associated with reforestation projects located near the production facility in Três Rios, Brazil. During processing, the leaves are treated using resins and organic polymers derived from plant-based sources. Production residues are composted and returned to the soil, while process water is treated and reused for irrigation purposes. The proximity between cultivation areas and manufacturing facilities reduces transportation requirements within the supply chain.

Unlike many biobased leather alternatives that are produced by combining plant fibres with polymer matrices, beLEAF™ retains the original structure, texture and visual characteristics of the leaf. As a result, each sheet exhibits natural variations in appearance, reflecting the biological origin of the material.

The material is intended as an alternative to conventional leather and synthetic sheet materials. It is free from animal-derived components and can be used in applications including fashion accessories, footwear, bags, packaging, interior design, wall coverings, furniture and other creative design projects.

The size of the material is determined by the dimensions of the harvested leaves, which typically range between approximately one and four square feet. Colouration is achieved using biodegradable organic dyes. Due to the natural characteristics of the leaves and the organic dyeing process, variations in colour, texture and pattern are inherent features of the material.

As a plant-based material derived from renewable biological resources, beLEAF™ is designed to support circular material systems through the use of renewable feedstocks and biologically compatible processing methods.