What is Nisiar?
Nisiar is a biosourced material that’s durable, modular, and proudly made in France. Composed of 73% plant materials, it offers mechanical properties comparable to leather but stands apart thanks to its impressive durability and resistance. What’s really cool is that each variety of Nisiar gets its unique color from the pigments found in valorized grape pomace, making every creation exclusive and authentic. So, no two pieces are exactly alike — a natural touch that adds real character.
Main Benefits of Nisiar
Here’s a quick rundown of what makes Nisiar stand out:
- Made from 73% plant-based materials, mainly grape pomace
- Hydrophobic properties that resist water effectively
- Excellent abrasion resistance for a longer lifespan
- Develops a unique patina over time, becoming softer and more pleasant to touch
- Monolayer structure without textile reinforcement, resisting stretching and deformation
- Thermoformable, offering great creative freedom for designers and artisans
- Translucent under strong light, revealing natural pigments
- 100% made in France, from grape pomace harvesting to final production
Unique Material Characteristics
Nisiar’s monolayer structure is quite something — it doesn’t rely on textile reinforcement, which means it resists stretching and deformation even in the most demanding situations. Plus, it’s thermoformable, so designers and artisans get a lot of creative freedom to shape and mold it as they please. And here’s a neat little detail: when exposed to strong light, Nisiar becomes translucent, letting the natural pigments from the grape pomace shine through. It’s like a little window into its origin.
Applications and Versatility
Thanks to its unique properties, Nisiar is perfect for a variety of uses. Whether it’s leather goods, furniture, or other creative projects, this material can be sewn, glued, embossed, and printed on. That means it offers tons of freedom when it comes to customization and design. It’s not just an alternative material — it’s a platform for creativity that respects the environment.
The Story Behind Nisiar
Nisiar was born from a perfect storm of opportunity and environmental challenge. On one hand, there’s the chance to valorize grape pomace — a local, abundant resource in France, with over 850,000 tons recovered each year. On the other, the urgent need to reduce the environmental impact of materials used in everyday consumer goods. The mission was clear from the start: create a material that’s both durable and desirable. Durable because it’s biosourced, but also because it stands up to wear and time.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — by using grape pomace, a waste product, Nisiar promotes circular economy principles.
- SDG 13: Climate Action — reducing reliance on animal leather and synthetic materials lowers environmental footprint.
- SDG 15: Life on Land — supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing waste helps protect ecosystems.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — developing innovative biosourced materials advances sustainable industrial practices.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — fostering local production in France supports regional economies and craftsmanship.
Who Uses Nisiar?
The material created by the Mondin company is an alternative to animal leather, crafted from grape marc sourced from French vineyards. Their clientele includes luxury houses and European vineyards that are looking for a sustainable material that highlights a local, abundant, and historically rich resource. It’s a perfect match for those who want to combine elegance with environmental responsibility, all while celebrating French terroir and innovation.
