Materials for Design

Fish Leather

The first thing to be clear about with fish leather is that it doesn’t smell of fish. The world of material innovation is driven by many areas, one of which is the need to look for sustainable alternatives to existing, and rapidly dwindling, materials; this impacts on consumerism, with sustainable materials moving up the value chain in terms of consumer expectations. We all need to feel more caring, but the focus on eco materials is no longer about low-value goods, such as degradable plastic bags or stationery made from recycled paper; the new ‘eco chic’ demands that high-end goods, ranging from furniture to automotive industry products, incorporate ethically sourced and rapidly renewable materials.

Strength is one of the distinguishing ...