The company launched The Salmon Leather Project on Kickstarter on 27 May, and passed its $17,500 funding goal within 24 hours.
“Two billion pounds of seafood byproducts are thrown away each year in Alaska,” said Tidal Vision founder and CEO, Craig Kasberg. “By developing new technologies to upcycle these byproducts, Tidal Vision is looking to add value to sustainable fisheries, reduce waste, and provide quality consumer products such as durable salmon leather wallets and, later, Chitoskin™ textiles.”
Tidal Vision's business model is based on upcycling sustainable seafood industry byproducts that were previously being discarded. Its proprietary tanning formula has been perfected over 25 years and, for the first time, combines durability with environmentally-friendly ingredients in the process.
Chitoskin™ textiles
Following the aquatic leather launch, Tidal Vision will make its first Chitoskin™ textiles and products available this autumn. Chitoskin™ textiles for apparel and performance wear are naturally odourless because they contain chitosan. Chitosan is a material in crab and shrimp shells that naturally inhibits odour and is also 100% biocompatible.
Tidal Vision's team invented a new method of extracting chitosan without the use of harsh chemicals. The process also produces chitosan with a higher tensile strength than is currently produced, which opens up many possibilities for chitosan to be used.
All of the products are manufactured domestically in the USA.
“This is all about sustainability, both from the raw material we source, and the processes we use. We don't think our backers should have to compromise style or function in order to have high-quality sustainable products,” said Mr Kasberg.
