In the heart of Europe's apple-growing regions, a revolutionary material is being born from what was once considered waste. This is the story of Uppeal—and how it's changing the future of equestrian equipment.
The Idea Behind Uppeal
Every year, the apple juice industry produces millions of tons of pomace—the pulp, skin, and seeds left over after pressing. For decades, this byproduct was largely discarded or used for low-value applications. The idea of utilising these leftovers arose from the need to reduce the enormous amount of waste generated annually in the food industry.
Apple peels and cores provide a rich source of cellulose, which serves as the basis for Uppeal production. Scientists and innovators saw potential where others saw waste — and through years of research and development, they discovered that apple pomace could be transformed into a material with remarkable properties.
The Manufacturing Process
The transformation from apple waste to luxury material involves a sophisticated biological upcycling process. Apple pomace is carefully processed to extract fibres and compounds that form the base of the material.
These natural components are then combined with eco-friendly binding agents and natural biopolymers to create a mass that serves as the base for the material — similar to a resin. The mixture is pressed through special machines to form sheets in the desired thickness and texture, which are then dyed and treated to achieve various aesthetic and functional properties.
Collection
Organic remnants are collected from apple processing facilities. These remnants — peels, cores, and pulp — are typically discarded but are valuable resources for Uppeal production.
Processing
The collected apple remnants are dried and ground into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with other natural biopolymers to form a mass that serves as the base material.
Manufacturing
The mixture is pressed through special machines to form sheets of the material in the desired thickness and texture. These sheets are then dyed and treated to achieve various aesthetic and functional properties, similar to those of traditional leather.
Watch how apple industry byproducts are transformed into Uppeal material.
Advantages of Uppeal
Environmentally Friendly: By utilising by-products of the food industry, Uppeal helps reduce environmental pollution and promotes a circular economy.
Plant-Based: As a plant-based material, Uppeal offers an animal-friendly alternative to leather — no animal products are used in its production.
Sustainable: Compared to animal leather and plastics, Uppeal production has a significantly lower CO₂ footprint and consumes less water and energy.
Versatile: Uppeal can be produced in various colours, textures, and thicknesses, making it suitable for a variety of applications — from fashion to furniture and equestrian equipment.
Perfect for Equestrian Use
Uppeal's properties make it ideally suited for equestrian applications. It's breathable, allowing air circulation that keeps horses comfortable. It's durable, standing up to the demands of daily riding. And it's beautiful, with a texture and finish that rivals the finest leather.
Perhaps most importantly, Uppeal requires no animal products in its production—making it a truly ethical choice for conscious equestrians.
Looking Forward
Uppeal is more than just an eco-friendly material — it's a symbol of innovative resource utilisation and waste reduction. By transforming apple remnants into a high-quality, durable, and stylish material, Uppeal demonstrates how industrial waste can be turned into valuable resources. At Equinetree, we're proud to be at the forefront of this sustainable revolution.