French Cultivated Leather Startup Faircraft Secures €15M to Meet Demand for Ethical Materials

Faircraft, a cultivated leather startup in Paris, has secured €15 million in funding to expand operations and meet the growing demand for sustainable materials. Founded in 2021 by Haïkel Balti and César Valencia Gallardo, Faircraft utilizes cell biology and tissue engineering techniques to produce ethical materials, starting with lab-grown leather. The startup's innovative approach aims to reduce the environmental impact of traditional leather production while offering premium quality with properties similar to real leather.

With a team of 20 experts from diverse backgrounds, Faircraft has developed a proprietary platform for cultivated leather, holding two international patents. The production process emits 90% fewer CO2 emissions, generates 95% less waste, and uses 80% less water than traditional leather, making it a more sustainable alternative. The company is focused on scaling up production to achieve cost parity with traditional leather, collaborating with luxury brands and master tanners to perfect the finishing of their cell-based leather products.