Cardboard - A Growing Waste Stream

On the one hand, ROYO tackles the growing issue of cardboard waste. As one of the largest waste streams globally, an estimated 410 million tons of cardboard are produced annually (Statista, 2025). However, waste management remains a challenge—only about 40% is reused or recycled, while the remaining 60% ends up in landfills (Biocycle, 2024). This contributes to a significant amount of greenhouse gas (Greematch, 2024).A more sustainable solution is urgently needed—and that’s where ROYO comes in.

Leather - A Polluting Industry

On the other hand, the leather industry ranks among the world's most polluting sectors. Producing just one kilogram of leather can consume approximately 17,000 liters of water, equivalent to what one person drinks over 23 years (Hedberg, Lidén & Odnevall, 2015).
Moreover, about 90% of leather is tanned using chromium, a toxic chemical that poses risks to both the environment and human health (Rosu et.al, 2015).

ROYO - Using One Problem to Solve the Other


ROYO Leather is designed to be economical, ecological, and eco-visual. By using post-consumer cardboard as its base, it significantly lowers production costs, making it more affordable than most plant-based leathers. Ecologically, it avoids virgin feedstock and toxic tanning chemicals, resulting in lower carbon emissions and up to twice the biodegradability of conventional vegan alternatives. Visually, ROYO doesn’t imitate animal leather; instead, it embraces the raw textures of bark, sand, and stone, offering an authentic, earth-inspired aesthetic that speaks of nature at first glance.

Crafca, ROYO Material, ROYO, ROYO earthskin, earthskin leather, vegan leather, faux leather, fake leather, leather alternative, synthetic leather, PU leather, animal leather, plant leather, plant-based leather, mushroom leather, pineapple leather, mycelium, corn leather, cardboard leather, upcycled cardboard, recycled cardboard, cardboard waste, natural leather, natural material, eco-friendly material, eco-material, sustainable leather, sustainable material,Leather made from waste, Momigami, Oil paper

Economical

About 60% more affordable than competitor offering

Crafca, ROYO Material, ROYO, ROYO earthskin, earthskin leather, vegan leather, faux leather, fake leather, leather alternative, synthetic leather, PU leather, animal leather, plant leather, plant-based leather, mushroom leather, pineapple leather, mycelium, corn leather, cardboard leather, upcycled cardboard, recycled cardboard, cardboard waste, natural leather, natural material, eco-friendly material, eco-material, sustainable leather, sustainable material,Leather made from waste, Momigami, Oil paper

Ecological

Upcycled waste instead of growing new virgin material like all competitors, reducing the eco-system’s burden

Crafca, ROYO Material, ROYO, ROYO earthskin, earthskin leather, vegan leather, faux leather, fake leather, leather alternative, synthetic leather, PU leather, animal leather, plant leather, plant-based leather, mushroom leather, pineapple leather, mycelium, corn leather, cardboard leather, upcycled cardboard, recycled cardboard, cardboard waste, natural leather, natural material, eco-friendly material, eco-material, sustainable leather, sustainable material,Leather made from waste, Momigami, Oil paper

Eco-Visual

We don’t imitate animal leather, we elevate nature and give an eco-material look at one glance

Material with Story


ROYO incorporates two traditional crafts, Japanese Momigami (揉纸) and Chinese oil-paper making (油纸), to transform waste cardboard into a flexible, leather-like material. Inspired by Momigami technique, ROYO softens and strengthens the paper fibers, while oil-paper methods add water resistance and durability.