U.S. footwear maker Allbirds said, it has partnered with biotechnology company Modern Meadow to launch a new line of shoes made with a plant‑based leather alternative called INNOVERA, marking the first time the material has been used in footwear.
The Terralux collection, introduced this week on Allbirds’ website, uses INNOVERA, a bio‑designed material developed by Modern Meadow that is made from plant‑based proteins, biopolymers and recycled Nylon 6 sourced from end‑of‑life tires. The company said the material is completely animal‑free and engineered to look, feel and perform like traditional leather while reducing reliance on animal products and petrochemicals.
Allbirds said the launch reinforces its sustainability strategy as the broader fashion and footwear industries seek alternatives to conventional leather, which is associated with high environmental costs. INNOVERA, which contains more than 80 percent renewable carbon content, has previously been used in automotive interiors, wallets and handbags but not in footwear until now.
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The three‑piece Terralux collection includes updated versions of some of Allbirds’ existing silhouettes, blending what the company describes as elevated design with signature comfort. The shoes are finished in conventional leather tanneries using the same treatment and dyeing processes as animal leather, a feature Allbirds said should appeal to manufacturers looking for sustainable substitutes without altering production workflows.
Modern Meadow, which has been scaling production of INNOVERA and expanding partnerships with tanneries and brands globally, said the footwear debut represents a milestone for its next‑generation bio‑material.
Allbirds, which has been streamlining its operations including winding down U.S. retail stores to focus on e‑commerce and international distribution, said the Terralux launch is part of its broader effort to drive innovation while meeting rising consumer demand for more responsible products.
