Sustainable leather alternatives from jute leaf: bio-composite development and economic perspectives

Leaf-based leather is a biodegradable, negative carbon emissions, and economically suitable material compared to the conventional leather-making process. In this research, jute leaf (30 gm), cellulose (2 gm), and natural rubber latex (10 ml) composition combined composite exhibited superior tensile strength (9.58 MPa). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that formed aryl groups in this composite material indicated jute leaves crosslink with natural rubber latex and cellulose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also represents porosity and reduced fiber pull-out. However, when thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was heat-compressed with this composite material, it enhanced tensile strength properties (28.9 MPa) and elongation (15.3%). Due to TPU crosslinking, FTIR confirms aryl signatures and urethane linkages formed by hydroxyl-NCO reactions, enhancing chain interactions and mechanical integrity, and SEM shows a porous microstructure supporting cohesion and interfacial adhesion. Contact-angle measurements (~ 85°) indicate the same hydrophobicity, comparable to animal leather (~ 90°). The jute leaf composite degraded within 4 months in the soil, whereas the TPU-compressed variant biodegraded within 6 months. This work presents a sustainable jute leaf bio-composite to replace leather in products such as backpacks, wallets, bags, book and file covers, automotive or home décor, creating bioeconomic opportunities in Bangladesh.