MIRUM®
MIRUM® is a revolutionary material that offers an alternative to animal leather and synthetic fabrics. Made in the USA from responsibly sourced, all-natural ingredients, it requires no plastics, no water, and no tanning.
What it's made of
- 43% Natural rubber
- 23% Minerals
- 14% Organic cotton backing
- 13% Plant oils
- 5% Natural pigments
- 2% Patented plant-based curative
Up to 10x lower carbon footprint than leather and synthetic materials
This was measured through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which calculates the environmental impact of products or services throughout their entire lifecycle.
How MIRUM® is made
MIRUM® is crafted in the USA at the Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) facility in Peoria, Illinois, powered by renewable wind energy.
The texture is formed by applying heat and pressure to the rubber-based material. This process allows the MIRUM® to seamlessly bond with the cotton backing, removing the need for any glues.
The production process uses no additional water beyond what’s found in the natural ingredients, resulting in zero wastewater discharge – a key issue with leather production.
Key MIRUM® Certifications
USDA 100% BIO-BASED
Made from 100% renewable, plant-based resources, not fossil fuels.
OEKO-TEX 100
MIRUM® is non-toxic by design. No toxic dyes. No heavy metals. No formaldehyde. No plasticisers. No PFAS.
PETA
MIRUM® is fully animal-free and certified vegan. Beauty, without cruelty.
FSC-CERTIFIED RUBBER
Sourced from FSC®-certified forests, where no deforestation has occurred since at least 1994, biodiversity zones are protected, and labour standards follow ILO conventions.
Traceability is key
Understanding the origins of our raw materials is crucial to being a truly sustainable company.
MIRUM contains 43% rubber, and we recognise the risk of deforestation if it’s not sourced responsibly. That’s why we’ve ensured the rubber in MIRUM® is FSC certified. Additionally, we know exactly where it’s sourced and processed in Thailand, ensuring full supply chain transparency.
Working towards regenerative latex
The problem with conventional rubber
Most natural rubber today comes from monoculture plantations – single-species farms that rely on synthetic chemicals, deplete biodiversity, and exhaust the soil. These systems are labor-intensive, ecologically fragile, and harmful to farming communities and the land.
A regenerative alternative
NFW, the makers of MIRUM®, is building a new supply chain for regenerative latex –sourced from Wanakaset forest gardens in South Thailand. These diverse agroforestry systems restore soil health, capture carbon, and support food sovereignty for smallholder farmers.
Community-driven change
Led by local farmers like Natha Chaiphet (Ja), this movement transforms former monocultures into thriving ecosystems. By growing a variety of plants – including rubber – these forest gardens reduce labor, eliminate synthetic inputs, and revive traditional knowledge.
Impactful rubber
Through a partnership with Terra Genesis and their Ethos™ verification, each hectare of Wanakaset forest sequesters up to 6 tonnes more carbon than a monoculture. Farmers are compensated for their ecosystem services – not just their rubber.
Building what doesn't exists
NFW is transitioning its latex sourcing to regenerative systems. And where supply chains don’t exist, they’re building them from the ground up, in partnership with local communities. It’s a model for what supply chains can be: circular, community-led, and rooted in living systems.
Discover our MIRUM® handbags
Discover our handbags crafted from MIRUM®, each meticulously made in Ubrique, Spain, by expert artisans.
