Vegan Footwear Will be A $300 Billion Dollar Industry by 2030, Report States
Consumers are demanding more ethical, sustainable fashion options and shaping the future of footwear, one shoe at a time.
A new generation of conscious shoppers are driving the demand for vegan footwear, with the industry predicted to soar to more than $300 billion USD by 2030.
More and more people are choosing to live a vegan lifestyle as awareness of animal rights increases, with this only expected to grow over the coming decade, in turn impacting the footwear industry, according to the analysis, by Allied Market Research (AMR). Sustainability has also become a major concern, leading to increased demand for environmentally-friendly footwear.
Thanks to advances in material technology and innovation, the availability of high-quality, fashionable vegan footwear options are increasing, states the report.
Some brands are embracing new cutting-edge plant-based materials, such as apple leather and cactus leather, while others are utilizing other animal-friendly materials including recycled plastics and faux leather, to produce shoes that are kinder to animals and the planet.
Some of the leading brands in the vegan footwear space include Adidas, Nike, Matt & Nat, AERA NY, Hexa Vegan Shoes, Rothy's and Sylven NY.
As more companies enter the market, the technology behind next-generation materials is diversifying, according to the non-profit Material Innovation. For example, the primary source of materials for leather alternatives have historically been derived from plants, but to more accurately mimic the functionality and aesthetics of animal-based leather, new companies are now using mycelium and microbe-derived materials.
What we wear matters:
The fashion industry accounts for up to 10 percent of global carbon dioxide output - more than international flights and shipping combined, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It’s also responsible for a fifth of the 300 million tons of plastic produced worldwide every year. Meanwhile, billions of animals are slaughtered annually for their fur, skins, silk, wool and more.
One of the greatest myths plaguing the fashion industry is that leather is natural, biodegradable, and therefore more environmentally-friendly than any vegan synthetic alternative. It’s also touted to be a byproduct of the industrial meat industry, which is just not true. The vast majority of leather - and there’s a lot of (around 1.4 billion hides and skins per year) - is actually a co-product, meaning that it’s a valuable commodity produced and sold for profit, not waste material.
Studies show that the production of synthetic leather and next-gen plant-based materials like mirum and mushroom-leather, is said to have a fraction of the CO2 emissions compared to cow skin leather.
“Vegan leather is adaptable and frequently biodegradable. When compared to genuine leather and synthetic leather, it is touted to have a lesser carbon footprint, making it the most environmentally responsible option,” stated AWR.
Want more on the future of fashion? Learn about next-gen materials by listening to our podcast episode with Sydney Gladman, the chief scientific officer at Material Innovation Initiative (MII), and Ranjani Theregowda, MII’s environmental data scientist here.
With a wardrobe filled with apple leather boots and faux fur scarves, Species Unite founder Elizabeth Novograrz is one of the pioneers embracing these next-gen materials. This October, step into Elizabeth’s world with the Species Unite 30-Day challenge, where you’ll discover everything you need to know about plant-based living, from recipes that will trick your most carnivorous friends to shoes, boots and bags made from some of the most magical plants on the planet. Take part here!
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