The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is centered on developing and scaling up a technology platform for 100% bio-based and 100% biodegradable materials designed to replace high carbon footprint materials like leather and synthetic leather. The technology platform uses a bio-based polymer structure and cross-linking polymer-filler that is compatible with both inorganic mineral and organic fibrous fillers, imparting superior material properties to the end-product. Over two billion square yards of leather are produced per year in an $86 billion annual market. The leather industry is associated with environmental concerns such as unwanted emissions into the atmosphere, animal agriculture, deforestation, and water pollution caused by toxic chemicals used to process, tan, and dye leather. Synthetic alternatives to leather are currently made of petroleum-derived plastics that are not biodegradable, instead breaking down into microplastics that persist in the environment and pose potential health risks to humans. With growing demand for eco-friendly products and reduction in carbon footprint, the materials produced by the proposed technology will meet need for eco-friendly materials in industries including fashion, footwear, apparel, and automotive. This project will build on the company’s novel polymer structure and unique polymer-filler cross-linking system, scaling up the technology while preserving its high perfor