Vegan | Zero-waste | Sustainable | Plastic-free | No harsh chemicals

echocella is a young start-up looking to launch our first product; the echocella brand of Kombucha Leather.  

Why is echocella kombucha leather a project you should support?

• Our product is an animal and plastic-free alternative to leather. 
• We've developed a unique waterproof coating and are pioneering mass-production methods. It will make our brand the only kombucha leather currently available commercially. 
• It is a robust material that can be easily dyed, cut, sewn and glued.
• Similar to yoghurt and sourdough, our material is made from a sustainable source of safe bacteria and yeast cultures.
  
  Anything else?
• Our natural dye range uses botanics and food-waste. 
• We're developing bio-composite uses for our offcuts, so that we won't be contributing to the growing issue of textile waste.  
• Grown in the UK by an ethical and environmentally responsible company.

What is kombucha leather? 

It is a bio-fabric grown during the production of a fermented tea called Kombucha. The cultures form a cellulose layer, (aka. SCOBY) over the drink. This layer is then harvested and finished with our unique waterproof coating to make the echocella brand of kombucha leather.

What can it be used for?

echocella leather would currently suit projects such as; clothing, jewellery, bags, belts, wallets and bound-notebooks. We are also working on a reinforced leather which would make it more suitable for harder wearing projects such as upholstery and shoes.  

How can I get my hands on it? 

Initially, our plan is to manufacture and supply the material directly to designers. The echocella team will be focusing on things like checking PH levels, playing with dyes and making sure each piece is evenly coated. So we'll leave the product designing to the experts. 

So far we've had interest from designers who would like to use the product, either to replace animal or plastic-based leathers. But first we'll need a cash injection and further R&D to ensure everything is in place before we can agree to any orders.

We're fundraising through the RBS 'Back Her Business' scheme; which means the more donations we receive, the more match-funding we can unlock.   

(Image: coin purse prototype made from echocella kombucha leather in Turmeric, backed onto orange faux suede fabric)

Up to this point echocella has been entirely self-funded through various part-time jobs, so we're running a 'keep it all' crowdfunder. 

Here's what your money can help buy;

• £15 pledge   = 1 month of materials
• £25 pledge   = Producing Sample Booklets
• £35 pledge   = Specialist grow tray
• £80 pledge   = Custom shelving units
• £200 pledge = Registering a Trademark

The remainder of the target will be spread between labour costs, continued research and development, marketing and legal costs. 

Stretch Funding

If this crowdfund hits its target, any extra cash will go towards the £7,000 cost of protecting our unique coating with a patent. 

Beyond textiles, the raw material has also been researched for it's promising applications across medicine, architecture, packaging and more. Our eventual goal is to combine our manufacturing technology with this cutting-edge research, and produce more sustainable bio-solutions.  

echocella is a bio-materials manufacturer based in Glasgow. Founded by Artist and Maker, Kayleigh Handley, the one-woman operation is currently based in her Glasgow flat. As the start-up expands it is being supported by Business Gateway & Scottish Enterprise, as well as finding academic assistance through Interface. She has also sought additional guidance on the project from specialists in the fields of; Kombucha brewing, bio-chemistry, engineering, business consultancy and textiles manufacture.