T-rex Leather: Reality or Science Fiction?
A project launched in 2025 has given life to Elemental X™, a material dubbed “T-rex leather” because it is inspired by reconstructed DNA fragments of a Tyrannosaurus rex. This unusual material, designed to be a more sustainable alternative to animal leather, was developed by Lab-Grown Leather Ltd, in collaboration with the creative agency VML and The Organoid Company. What It Is and How It’s Made At the core of this material lies fossil collagen, a protein that—though only in traces—has survived millions of years inside dinosaur bones. Scientists don’t have complete dinosaur DNA, but they use these fragments as a blueprint to design and reconstruct protein sequences reminiscent of the…
After Mylo, the “leather” from mycelium, also Circulose, the textile fiber from recycled cotton, stops
Last year, the company Bolt Threads decided to put Mylo, an innovative “leather” from mycelium, on hold, despite the support of large brands such as Adidas, Kering and Stella McCartney. A couple of weeks ago, Renewcell, the renowned manufacturer of Circulose, had to file for bankruptcy despite significant support and partnerships gained in the industry. The pause of Bolt Threads and the failure of Renewcell, two major players in sustainable fashion, raise questions about the fashion industry’s effectiveness in supporting innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Renewcell Renewcell is a Swedish company known for its technology that recycles cotton T-shirts and jeans destined for landfill into a new material, Circulose,…
