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To what extent do those needs have no replacements, and what percentage of livestock raised for food are used also for other products?

• harimau777 6y ago
  If you are avoiding synthetic fibers (e.g. due to concerns about microplastics or outgassing) then I am not aware of an alternative to wool. The big feature of wool is that, unlike plant fibers, it still insulates you when it gets wet. It also has anti-bacterial properties (so it tends not to get body odor as quickly) and is naturally flame retardant (which also separates it from most synthetic fibers). The faux-leather that I'm aware of seeks to replicate leather's look more than its performance. In particular leather tends to last much longer, develop a patina as it gets worn, doesn't melt when burnt, provides protection, etc. On the other hand, fabrics like kevlar and ballistic nylon can replicate some of leather's performance but not its look. Most of these also have the issues associated with synthetic fibers. Finally, there are semi-niche applications for vegetable tanned leather (which is the more traditional approach to tanning). Vegetable tanned leather becomes flexible when wet and holds its shape when it dries. That allows leather to be formed into shapes (e.g. armour for martial arts or cosplay, holsters and sheaths) and allows it to be tooled. I'm not aware of a faux-leather that acts that way.