What Is Coconut Leather? Is It Durable & Good For Bag?

August 8 , 2025

Coconut leather is an eco-friendly, plant-based alternative leather material made from coconut waste through biological fermentation or fiber processing. It features natural texture and lightness, making it suitable for crafting fashionable items such as handbags and wallets. Currently, it is applicable to light-load designs and represents an innovative choice for eco-friendly brands.

coconut leather

This article will explore the characteristics and durability of coconut leather, as well as the types of bags it can be used to make, allowing you to learn more about innovative leather materials and offer more possibilities for choosing the right material for your brand’s bags.

What is coconut?

The coconut (Cocos nucifera) is a tropical fruit of the coconut tree. It is a large and hard fruit belonging to the Areca family and grows in coastal areas around the world. It is botanically classified as a drupe (stone fruit) and is renowned for its versatility, providing food, water, oil and raw materials.

Coconuts grow on tropical coasts such as the Philippines, Indonesia and India, symbolizing tenacity and resourcefulness. A coconut tree can produce 75 coconuts every year. Coconuts can float and cross thousands of miles of ocean, helping them spread to new islands.

Main structure and application of coconut:

Exocarp (outer layer) : A smooth, green or brown shell that protects the inner part. When unripe, it is green and fibrous. When it matures, it will turn brown and hard.
Mesocarp (fibrous layer) : A thick, fibrous shell located between the exocarp and endocarp. This layer is used to make ropes, MATS and brushes.
Endopericarp (hard shell) : The woody hard shell that encloses the seed. It is often opened to access the edible parts inside. It is often used to make activated carbon and handicrafts.
Seed (coconut “flesh” and water) : Inside the shell is the seed, which consists of:
Coconut water: The clear liquid in coconut juice, which can be used to replenish water, is rich in electrolytes and nutrients.
Coconut flesh: The white fleshy part inside the coconut shell. It can be eaten raw, dried (dried coconut), or processed into oil, milk or cream.

Coconut is a tropical fruit with a wide range of uses, including edible meat and water, as well as many industrial and cultural applications. Its unique structure and wide application make it one of the most valuable plants in the world.

What is coconut leather?

Coconut leather (also known as “coconut fiber leather” or “coco leather”) is an innovative plant-based material, a biodegradable, vegan alternative to traditional animal leather, made from coconut husk fibers, a by-product of the coconut industry, especially coconut water or leftover materials from meat production. It offers eco-friendly alternatives to animal leather and synthetic plastics.

Unlike many synthetic leathers that rely on plastic, coconut leather comes from natural and renewable resources. Coconut leather is becoming a leader in the sustainable fashion movement, offering a unique combination of durability, unique texture and a circular manufacturing process.

Comparison to Other Leathers

Feature	Coconut Leather	Animal Leather	PU Leather
Source	Coconut husks	Cowhide	Petroleum
Eco-Friendliness	High (upcycled)	Low (high impact)	Medium (plastic-based)
Durability	Moderate	High	Low-Medium
Cost	$$	$$$	$

As the demand for sustainable fashion continues to grow, coconut leather, as a circular economy solution – transforming waste into luxury goods – is receiving increasing attention. Innovation may enhance its water resistance and affordability.

Is coconut good for leather?

Yes, coconuts are good materials for making leather. Coconut leather, made from coconuts related materials such as coconut water and coconut shell fibers, features sustainability, durability and softness, and can be used as an alternative to traditional leather.

coconut leather material

The advantages of making leather from coconut materials

Sustainability: Both coconut water leather and coconut shell fiber materials utilize agricultural by-products, reducing resource waste and conforming to the concept of a circular economy.
Environmental friendliness: The production process does not rely on animal breeding or chemical tanning, and is biodegradable, reducing the risk of environmental pollution.
Functionality: Coconut water leather is waterproof and durable, while coconut carbon fiber is breathable and comfortable, meeting the requirements of specific usage scenarios.
Innovativeness: Offering novel material options for the fashion and design sectors, driving the industry towards a sustainable transformation.
Durable: Waterproof, flexible. Although not as durable as animal leather, it is strong enough for many daily uses.
Cruelty-free: No animal products are used.
Lightweight and breathable: Commonly used in fashion, accessories and interior decoration.

Commonly used in:

Fashion: Bags, shoes, wallets, jackets, watch straps.
Furniture: Interior decoration, cushions.
Accessories: Watch strap, mobile phone case.

It is worth noting that coconut leather is suitable for specific lightweight applications, and its sustainability takes precedence over severe wear and tear. For long-lasting performance, traditional animal leather or advanced vegan materials may be better.

How is coconut leather made?

The production of Coconut Leather is mainly based on the sustainable utilization of coconut water or coconut shells. Through biological fermentation, fiber blending or environmentally friendly process treatment, it eventually forms a flexible and durable material similar to leather.

The following are two main methods for making coconut leather:

Method One: Bacterial cellulose fermentation based on coconut water

Raw material preparation

Collect the waste coconut water produced during the coconut processing and disinfect it to kill miscellaneous bacteria.

Bacterial culture and fermentation

Disinfected coconut water is used as a nutrient base and specific bacterial cultures (such as Acetobacter) are injected to initiate the fermentation process.

Fermentation lasts for 12 to 14 days. During this period, bacteria secrete cellulose and form gel-like sheets.

Material refining and mixing

The cellulose flakes after fermentation are harvested and impurities are removed through refining to retain the pure cellulose structure.

Mix cellulose with plant fibers (such as banana stem fibers, hemp fibers or teak leaf fibers) to enhance the toughness and durability of the material.

Add natural gums and resins to enhance the flexibility and plasticity of the material.

Forming and processing

Press the mixed materials into sheets of the required thickness and texture, and let them air dry and set naturally.

Treat the surface with a waterproof formula that does not contain plastic coatings or synthetic components to enhance the waterproof performance.

The materials are endowed with diverse colors through natural dyeing processes, avoiding the use of chemical dyes.

Features

Made entirely of natural materials, it is non-toxic, harmless and compostable.

It is more flexible than traditional leather, highly durable and customizable in thickness and texture.

The production process is low-carbon and environmentally friendly, in line with the concept of sustainable development.

Method Two: Environmentally friendly water-based leather processing based on coconut shells

Raw material preparation

Collect discarded coconut shells and clean them to remove surface impurities.

Crushing and grinding

Break the coconut shells into small pieces and further grind them into fine powder or fiber fragments to increase the plasticity of the material.

Environmentally friendly water-based leather treatment

A uniform slurry is formed by mixing water-based polyurethane and other environmentally friendly resins with coconut shell fibers.

The slurry is formed into leather-like sheet materials through coating, calendering or molding processes.

Crosslinking reactions are carried out using water-based curing agents to enhance the strength and wear resistance of the material.

Post-processing and modification

Grind, embossing or surface treat the formed materials to simulate the texture and feel of leather.

Apply an environmentally friendly waterproof layer to enhance the practicality and durability of the material.

Features

Make full use of discarded coconut shells to reduce resource waste and environmental pollution.

The material performance is close to that of traditional leather, and no toxic substances are emitted during the production process.

It is applicable to the manufacturing of fashionable products such as shoes and bags, meeting the demand for sustainable consumption.

Is coconut leather durable?

Coconut leather is a moderately durable and practical material. Unlike traditional animal leather, it is not durable and can generally be used for 2 to 5 years.

Factors affecting durability

The adhesives used: Natural adhesives (such as starch or chewing gum) are environmentally friendly, but not very durable; Synthetic coatings enhance strength but reduce biodegradability.
Fiber reinforcement: Adding layers of hemp, banana fiber or cotton can make coconut leather tougher.
Final treatment: Some manufacturers use protective topcoats to prevent water and scratches.

How Durable Is Coconut Leather?

Aspect	Performance
Tear Resistance	Moderate – suitable for light to medium use items like wallets or notebook covers.
Water Resistance	Varies – naturally limited, but can be improved with plant-based or synthetic coatings.
Flexibility	Good – often soft and bendable, similar to PU leather.
Longevity	Fair – lasts a few years with proper care, but not as long as high-grade leather.
Scratch Resistance	Low to moderate – may show wear with frequent abrasion.

Coconut leather is durable enough for many daily-use products and is best suited for fashion and accessories rather than heavy industrial applications.

Comparison of coconut leather with other bio-based leathers

Coconut leather: The most suitable for environmentally friendly and lightweight products. It is naturally sustainable, but not suitable for high-wear items.
Mushroom leather: It is the closest to animal skin in terms of feel and performance. It is very suitable for luxurious and durable fashion, but has not yet been mass-produced.
Cactus leather: A great combination of durability and sustainability, it is an ideal choice for daily fashion items. It is becoming increasingly popular.
Apple leather: Widely used, suitable for small commodities, but many versions include a plastic coating, reducing biodegradability.

Vegan Leather Comparison

Feature	Coconut Leather	Mushroom Leather(e.g., Mylo, Reishi)	Cactus Leather(e.g., Desserto)	Apple Leather
Main Material	Fermented coconut water or husk fiber	Mycelium (fungal root system)	Prickly pear cactus leaves	Apple pomace (waste from juicing)
Eco-Friendliness	♻️ High – made from food/agro waste	♻️ Very high – low water & energy use	♻️ High – minimal water, no pesticides	♻️ Medium – eco-friendly but uses some PU
Durability	Moderate – good for accessories	High – close to animal leather	Good – flexible & sturdy	Moderate – best for light use
Water Resistance	Variable – needs coating	Good – naturally resistant	Good	Fair – often coated with PU
Flexibility & Texture	Soft, slightly rubbery or fabric-like	Very soft, smooth, and leather-like	Smooth, leather-like	Soft, can be stiff without treatment
Biodegradability	Yes – if no synthetic coating	Yes	Yes	No – usually contains plastic binder (PU)
Common Uses	Bags, wallets, accessories	Luxury bags, shoes, interiors	Bags, shoes, fashion items	Wallets, cases, small accessories
Scalability	Small – niche production	Small – still scaling	Medium – growing market presence	Medium – used by brands like Veerah, Samara
Price	$$ (mid-range)	$$$ (premium/luxury)	$$ (mid-range)	$–$$ (varies)

Is coconut leather material good for making bags?

Yes, coconut leather is an excellent material for making bags because it has the advantages of sustainability, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Eco-friendly choice: Made from coconut shell waste, biodegradable (unlike PVC/PU vegan leather).
Aesthetics: A natural and textured appearance ideal for Bohemian, country, or handcrafted styles. It can be custom-designed by dyeing or embossing.
Lightweight and flexible: Lighter than traditional leather, a comfortable casual tote bag or handbag.
Vegetarianism and Ethics: Calling for a Cruelty-free and sustainable Fashion Market.

coconut leather handbag

The most suitable types of bags made of coconut leather:

Handbag (lightweight, pressure-free design).
Evening bags (for low wear and tear use).
Market bag (fashionable, eco-friendly shopper).
Small crossbody bag (it is recommended to reinforce and sew it).

Coconut leather is highly suitable for making fashionable and lightweight handbags, with environmental friendliness and sustainability being key.

Conclusion of coconut leather

Coconut leather, as a new and innovative material, is an excellent choice for making bags. It stands out in terms of durability, environmental friendliness, aesthetics and customization capabilities. If you are choosing bio-base leather materials for your brand’s bags, then coconut leather is a great material. After choosing the materials, you can further select the bag manufacturer to cooperate with. Welcome to cooperate with Gionar to design and manufacture your brand bags together.