Karnataka researchers turn fish skin into eco-friendly leather. india news

Last updated:15 January 2026, 12:24 IST

In terms of strength, fish leather often surprises first-time users. Its criss-cross collagen structure makes it extremely tear resistant, stronger than cow leather of similar thickness.

At a time when sustainability is no longer a buzzword but a business necessity, researchers at the College of Fisheries in Mangaluru, Karnataka have come up with an innovation that could quietly disrupt the leather industry. They have developed a way to transform discarded fish skins into high quality, chrome-free leather, turning what was once waste into a valuable, eco-friendly product.

The project is led by Dr B Manjanayak of the Department of Fish Processing Technology, who saw potential where most people saw garbage. Tons of fish skin are thrown away every day by seafood processing units.

Instead of letting this collagen-rich material rot in a landfill, the team experimented with turning it into leather using a tanning process that avoids chrome, the most commonly used chemical in traditional leather production and one of the biggest pollutants in the industry.

Turning science into clean solutions

Dr Manjanic says, “The sustainable use of fish skin waste to produce chrome-free leather is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather-making methods that rely heavily on harmful chemicals. It not only reduces environmental damage but also adds value to the material that would otherwise go to waste.”

Fish skin, especially in species such as unicorn leatherjacket, grouper, cobia, and catfish, contains dense type I collagen. Once properly treated it gives it amazing strength and ductility.

Unlike traditional tanning methods, which release toxic effluents into water bodies and expose workers to health risks, the Mangaluru team’s chrome-free technology relies on safer alternatives, which exponentially reduces pollution and also cuts water usage.

The result is a new type of leather that fits perfectly into the idea of ​​a circular economy, where waste from one industry becomes the raw material for another. But how exactly does this fish leather compare to the leather we’ve relied on for centuries?

fish leather vs animal leather

Compared to cow, goat or sheep leather, fish leather starts out with a major sustainability advantage. Traditional animal leather relies on fresh hides from the meat industry, while fish leather uses material that would otherwise be discarded. From a climate and waste perspective, the impact of fish leather is already mild.

In terms of strength, fish leather often surprises first-time users. Its criss-cross collagen structure makes it extremely tear resistant, sometimes stronger than cow leather of similar thickness. It appears thin but tough, making it ideal for accessories such as purses, handbags, belts, watch straps and shoe detailing.

Why does traditional leather still dominate?

Where animal leather still goes in terms of scale and familiarity. Backed by supply chains that span centuries, the mass production of cow and goat leather continues to rule everything from jackets and boots to sofas and car seats.

In contrast, fish leather is still in its boutique stage. It fits more naturally into designer labels, eco startups and premium accessories than the factory line uniform. But many disruptive content starts out exactly this way before becoming mainstream.

environmental edge

The environmental comparison leans even more clearly in favor of fish leather. Chrome tanning, still widely used in traditional leather processing, is notorious for contaminating soil and water. The chrome free method developed in Mangaluru completely eliminates this risk, making fish leather not only a creative option but also hygienic.

For coastal Karnataka, the impact could go beyond green fashion. This innovation opens up new sources of income for fishing communities, seafood processors and small entrepreneurs. Instead of paying for waste disposal, processing units can now supply raw materials for a new sustainable industry. What was once scrap may soon become a premium product.

tradition meets evolution

Animal leather represents tradition, time-tested and familiar. Fishskin represents growth, being resourceful, responsible and being in tune with the demands of a changing world. And as industries everywhere struggle to balance profits with the planet, this cool innovation from Mangaluru proves that the future of leather doesn’t just come from the farm. Sometimes, it may rise directly from the sea.