Bangkok: A Thai startup showcases its eco-friendly ingenuity, transforming leftover materials, waste, and natural debris into "Vegan Leather."
According to Thai News Agency, the innovative venture is the brainchild of Platth Boonploylert, the founder of Keapaz Co. Ltd. His journey from a challenging business past to a successful startup founder is marked by his creation of vegan leather made from recycled natural waste products like coffee grounds, mango, eggplant, and more. This eco-conscious product secured him the runner-up position in the 2020 National Innovation Award.
Keapaz Co. Ltd. recently presented its KEAPAZ product at the Startup and Innovation Thailand Expo 2026, organized by the National Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The vegan leather sheets, crafted entirely from natural waste materials, aim to minimize environmental impact and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional leather, devoid of any animal components. The startup began with a small team and has since attracted orders from a soap factory and a large U.S. company, necessitating expansion and increased staffing.
The National Innovation Agency has played a significant role in supporting the startup's product development and marketing initiatives. The company, based in Mae Tha District, Lamphun Province, has provided local villagers with better income opportunities, enhancing their quality of life by involving them in the production of the vegan leather panels.
Under the GOB GAB by PRISM brand, KEAPAZ Co., Ltd. offers a range of products fashioned from vegan leather, including bags with unique designs inspired by natural elements. They also produce windbreakers in collaboration with PTT as part of the Prism Circular Hackathon, utilizing discarded plastic bags to address waste management challenges effectively.
Platth emphasizes the importance of innovation in the startup ecosystem, advocating for the creation of products that fill gaps in the market with unique solutions. Those interested in exploring vegan leather options can reach out to Mr. Platth Boonploylert at Keapaz Co., Ltd., based in Lamphun Province.
Source: Thai News Agency