Real leather without animals through an investment in Qorium

A breakthrough in sustainable materials

The traditional leather industry is responsible for large amounts of CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and chemical waste. Qorium reduces these polluting processes significantly by growing leather in a controlled biotechnological environment. The result is genuine leather; the material is strong, flexible, and high-quality, and can be produced without the environmental and ethical issues associated with livestock farming and tanning. 

Investing with partners in scaling up

Invest-NL, together with LIOF, Brightlands Venture Partners, and Sofinnova Partners, is investing in this Series A funding round of a total of € 22 million. With this investment, Qorium can further scale up its production and move from laboratory to commercial reality. The company is initially targeting the luxury segment, where brands like Kering and Hermès are actively seeking high-quality, sustainable alternatives to calfskin leather. 

Towards a more sustainable materials system

“Qorium’s cultivated leather enables a systemic change. By producing real leather without involving animals, Qorium demonstrates how biotechnology can contribute to a more sustainable material supply chain. We are proud to help this Dutch pioneer scale up,” says Lisette Kersting – van der Boog, senior investment manager at Invest-NL. 

With the investment in Qorium, Invest-NL is taking another step in the transition towards a more sustainable and animal-friendly materials chain. The company aligns with Invest-NL’s broader ambition to accelerate biotechnology as an important component of the circular economy.