Producing Exotic Leathers from Harmful Invasive Species

Nature
Invasive Species Management, Nature Positive Materials

inversaleathers.com/

Invasive species are ecological and economic drivers of destruction, responsible for ~60% of today’s species extinctions and $400+ billion in annual damages worldwide. INVERSA tackles this crisis by managing these destructive non-native species and transforming them into high-performance leathers for the fashion industry.

Management of invasive species populations can result in a native biomass recovery of up to 70%. Working with frontline communities and fishing cooperatives, INVERSA creates economic incentives for ecosystem restoration through job creation, while ensuring humane treatment for all removed animals. INVERSA currently works with three invasive species & ecosystems: lionfish in the Caribbean Sea, non-native river carp in the Mississippi River Basin, and Burmese pythons in the Greater Everglades.

INVERSA’s leathers meet the highest standards of craftsmanship and deliver immediate results for ecosystems. Provisional life-cycle assessments for Silverfin leather show 99.9% less land use, 95% less water use, and 89% lower GHG emissions than analogous bovine leather, and an independent WWF Switzerland biodiversity impact assessment (BIAF) awarded INVERSA the highest score they have given to date.

Already adopted by leading luxury brands, INVERSA proves that fashion can fuel ecosystem recovery.