Vegan leather: Twiggy’s multimillion investment in alternative fabrics

The company behind the luxury boot manufacturer has made a multimillion dollar investment in a US-based alternative fabrics company.

Andrew Forrest. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The company behind the iconic Australian footwear RM Williams is looking to branch out into non-leather options for its range of boots.

Tattarang this week announced a multimillion dollar investment in a sustainable fabric company.

RM Williams.

Tattarang – Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s private investment company – has committed $26.8 million as part of a capital raise by US material innovator Natural Fiber Welding.

It’s a move in-step with Dr Forrest’s increased focus on sustainability and green credentials across his agricultural investments.

Natural Fiber Welding produces “all-natural” textiles, including Mirum, a zero-plastic complement to leather.

Tattarang chief investment officer John Hartman said leather was “deeply entwined” in the DNA of RM Williams – also owned by Tattarang – with “no plan to change that”, but consumers are increasingly seeking plastic-free leather products.

“NFW could provide an opportunity for us to further explore this with R.M.Williams,” Mr Hartman said.

Andrew Forrest, through his private investment company Tattarang, has invested more than $26 million into an American non-leather materials company.

“We see NFW and its patented technologies as a genuine disrupter with a significant addressable market delivering products that are sincerely better for human and ocean health.”

Mr Hartman said the investment was in line with Andrew and wife Nicola Forrest’s goal to “eliminate all plastic waste”.