Innovative biodegradable leather wins national title for RMIT Vietnam students

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Innovative biodegradable leather wins national title for RMIT Vietnam students

A sustainable leather alternative helped a team of five students from RMIT Vietnam bring home the National Champion title at the ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit 2024.

The competition, which focuses on sustainability, involved challenges and activities centred on leadership, innovation, and social impact, with participants working on projects that address real-world issues.

At the heart of the team’s victory was a product called Nhien, which is a biodegradable leather made from waste coconut water. This innovative material not only addresses the challenge of accelerating renewable and clean energy adoption but also tackles the pressing issue of waste management in Vietnam’s coconut industry.

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(Left to right) Dr Majo George, Senior Lecturer from the Logistics and Supply Chain Management program, and team ‘Golden Flames’ Huynh Hoang Duc, Tran Anh Duong, Huynh Duy Thong, Bui Gia Linh and Nguyen Yen Ngoc.

By combining diverse academic backgrounds, including International Business, Professional Communication, Finance, and Robotics and Mechatronics, the team known as ‘Golden Flames’ demonstrated how sustainability requires a multifaceted approach.

The team’s success story began with an unexpected spark of inspiration as team member and a Robotics and Mechatronics major student Huynh Hoang Duc explained: “Our inspiration came from a TikTok video about making coconut jelly from fermented coconut water”.

“Further research revealed that the resulting bacterial cellulose could potentially be used as a textile. This revelation sparked the birth of our project,” he said.

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The production process of biodegradable leather Nhien

The team also exemplified a sustainable mindset that goes beyond just creating an eco-friendly product. Their approach demonstrates holistic problem-solving, considering the entire lifecycle of their product from sourcing waste materials to end-of-life biodegradability.

It began with a 14-day fermentation of waste coconut water, producing bacterial cellulose. To enhance strength and durability, this was combined with natural plant fibres. The mixture was then flattened into sheets and underwent a finishing process to create a usable leather-like material. This innovative process not only repurposed waste but also created a viable alternative to both traditional and faux leather, addressing multiple environmental concerns simultaneously.

The potential impact of Nhien on local communities and the environment is significant. By utilising waste coconut water, Nhien helps reduce industrial waste in coconut-producing regions. The production of Nhien could create new jobs in rural areas, particularly for coconut farmers and local artisans. As a biodegradable alternative to leather, Nhien addresses concerns about the environmental impact of both animal leather production and non-biodegradable synthetic alternatives.

Team member and a Finance major student Bui Gia Linh said: "We're not just creating a product; we're proposing a new way of thinking about resources and consumption. Nhien is a step towards a more circular and sustainable economy".

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The business model proposed by the Golden Flames team

“Our goal is to create a model that can be adapted to other agricultural waste streams, multiplying our impact," team member and an International Business major student Tran Anh Duong added.

Team member and a Professional Communication major student Nguyen Yen Ngoc emphasised a broader vision: “Through this project, we learned how to balance eco-friendliness with consumer preferences, especially when targeting a niche market like ‘Green Localista’ who value both aesthetics and environmentally impact”.

“The project also helped us sharpen our skills in marketing eco-products, particularly in terms of communicating the product’s value in an engaging way that resonates with environmentally conscious consumers.

“We also gained valuable insights into supply chain management, product development, and understanding the challenges of scaling up a sustainable product,” Ngoc said.

Looking ahead, the ‘Golden Flames’ team plans to partner with local textile manufacturers and seek assistance from relevant departments at RMIT Vietnam to bring Nhien’s sustainable handbags and tote bags to market. They are also exploring opportunities with local coconut farmers to create a sustainable supply chain and secure venture capital investment.

The team, along with two other teams from local universities, represented Vietnam at the regional ACI Youth Leadership Summit earlier this month. Each team member was reassigned to form new teams with participants from different countries to tackle a new problem. Huynh Duy Thong and his team secured the first runner-up position, while Nguyen Yen Ngoc and her team finished in the top 10.

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Huynh Duy Thong (left) and his team secured the first runner-up position at the regional ACI Youth Leadership Summit.

Participating in the ACI Youth Leadership Summit significantly enhanced the team’s cross-cultural collaboration, decision-making, and leadership skills. Each member gained valuable experience in managing diverse viewpoints, adapting to different team dynamics, and improving their soft skills, particularly in cross-cultural communication and leadership.

Story: Ha Hoang

Campus and community

30 October 2024

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