At Tretorn, we have long explored innovative materials to offer alternatives to traditional ones in our products. One of these is AppleSkin®, which we use in some of our sneakers as an alternative to conventional synthetic leather.

For us, AppleSkin® is interesting because it offers a way to repurpose by-products from the food industry while reducing the dependency on fully fossil-based materials. While AppleSkin still contains polyurethane, it helps increase the share of bio-based content in our products.

In our sneakers, this means we can offer a material that combines durability and performance with a more responsible choice of raw material. At the same time, we are open about this being a step along the way – not a final solution – in our ambition to gradually increase the share of renewable and recycled materials in our products.

AppleSkin® is a plant-based material developed in Italy by the company Frumat, created using residuals from the local apple juice industry. Instead of going to waste, leftover apple pomace is collected and transformed into a fine powder that is then blended with a polyurethane solution. The result is a durable material with a look and feel similar to leather.

The material is often combined with a base of lyocell (wood fiber) and recycled polyester (RPET) to create a textile that can be used in everything from footwear to accessories and furniture.