PALMLEATHER WITH A CIRCULAR PRODUCT FOOTPRINT OF 95.2% DESIGNED BY STUDIO TJEERD VEENHOVEN
Designer Tjeerd Veenhoven, winner of the Global Change award from H&M and owner of Studio Tjeerd Veenhoven discovered new sustainable materials for the product and fashionindustry. His latest creations: Palmleather and AlgaeFabrics.
Palmleather is special because it is made from the fallen leaves of the Areca Palm tree that grows in the South of India. This fantastic natural resource is still largely unused. Thanks to a simple and ecologically principle, these dry leaves are now processed into a flexible and strong material; Palmleather. In small factories in India, the leaves are collected and upgraded to palm leather by local workers. All kinds of products are made on site, from slippers to bags. It is a beautiful material where both the local economy and nature as a whole is benefiting from.
“When I came into contact with the National Sustainability Institute I got to know the GSES system, Kelly Ruigrok from NDI and Gert-Jan Vroege from SGS presented me the Circular Product Footprint method and the CPF method was very suitable for my materials and products. This was a fantastic opportunity for Palmleather to prove its sustainability. ” Thus Tjeerd Veenhoven.
The Palmleather CPF according to the Studio Tjeerd Veenhoven process is 95.2%. The textile industry is looking for substitute raw materials that are sustainable, circular and scalable, for which Palmleather is now demonstrably suitable.
“Now that we have developed and tested the Circular Product Footprint method for different products and raw materials in different industries, it is only a matter of time until certification is developed and then all products can be certified using the Circular Product Footprint method.” Said Kelly Ruigrok, NDI.
“Several big brands have already shown interest and together with O’Neill Footwear a successful collection of sandals has been brought onto the market! Sustainable design is finally really on the agenda, and it helps if you can make circular claims compliance. my customers also certify their end products on the basis of my certified materials! ” Thus Tjeerd Veenhoven.
For more information about Palmleather, visit www.tjeerdveenhoven.com
