As brands place greater emphasis on performance, sustainability, and supply chain transparency, evaluating materials goes far beyond appearance or feel. Material certifications and composition data provide valuable insight into how a material is made, where its raw materials come from, and how its environmental impact is assessed.
Independent certifications offer an additional layer of credibility by verifying attributes such as bio-based content, responsible sourcing, and the absence of animal-derived materials. For brands and designers, these third-party assessments can play an important role when evaluating materials for commercial applications.
ELEVATE by UNCAGED is supported by several recognized certifications and assessments that help document key aspects of its composition, sourcing, and environmental profile, including:
- USDA BioPreferred
- FSC Certified Materials
- PETA Approved Vegan
- Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
In this article, we explore what each of these certifications means, why it matters, and how it contributes to a broader understanding of ELEVATE.
Why Material Certifications Matter
Material selection often involves balancing multiple priorities, from performance and manufacturability to sourcing requirements and sustainability goals. As supply chains become more complex, access to reliable and standardized information becomes increasingly important.
Third-party certifications provide a common framework for evaluating materials across different suppliers and technologies. Rather than relying solely on product claims, brands can reference recognized standards when assessing whether a material aligns with their internal requirements and objectives.
While no single certification can provide a complete picture of a material, multiple certifications and assessments can help build a broader understanding of how a material is developed and evaluated.
ELEVATE Certifications
Each certification associated with ELEVATE evaluates a specific aspect of the material using its own criteria and methodology. Let’s take a closer look at each one.
USDA BioPreferred Certification
The USDA BioPreferred Program is an initiative developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify and certify products that contain verified amounts of bio-based content. The program uses standardized testing methods to measure the proportion of a product derived from renewable biological sources rather than fossil-based resources.
Unlike certifications that evaluate manufacturing practices or environmental impacts, USDA BioPreferred focuses specifically on the origin of the materials used within a product. Products that meet the program’s requirements are awarded a certified biobased content percentage based on laboratory testing.
ELEVATE is USDA Certified Biobased with a verified biobased content of 52%. This designation provides a recognized benchmark for evaluating the material’s renewable biological content.
FSC Certified Materials
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that sets standards for responsible forest management and the sourcing of forest-derived materials. FSC certification helps track materials through the supply chain, from their origin to the finished product.
The certification system is designed to support practices that protect biodiversity, maintain forest productivity, and respect the rights of workers and local communities. It also provides a framework for verifying the origin of certified materials.
ELEVATE incorporates FSC Certified Materials as part of its material structure, supporting the use of responsibly sourced plant-based inputs within the product.
PETA Approved Vegan
The PETA Approved Vegan certification is awarded to products that do not contain animal-derived materials. The certification is used across multiple industries, including fashion, accessories, cosmetics, and consumer goods.
The logo helps consumers identify vegan items at a glance while shopping and make purchases that align with their values.
ELEVATE has received PETA Approved Vegan certification, making it part of a globally recognized program used by brands across a wide range of consumer industries.
Life Cycle Analysis
A Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a scientific methodology used to measure the environmental impacts associated with a product throughout its lifecycle. Depending on the scope of the study, this can include raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life considerations.
LCA studies are commonly used to quantify metrics such as greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and energy use, allowing materials to be evaluated using standardized environmental indicators.
An independent Life Cycle Analysis conducted for ELEVATE found:
- 95% lower greenhouse gas emissions
- 89% lower water consumption
- 71% lower energy use
compared to conventional leather.
ELEVATE Material Composition
ELEVATE is crafted using raw materials derived from grains, including wheat, soy, corn, and rice.
Rather than relying on a single feedstock, our technology platform allows us to work with different inputs and tailor each formulation to specific performance and design requirements. This flexibility supports a broad range of textures, finishes, colors, and material characteristics.
ELEVATE is composed of:
- 60% grain-based core
- 40% organic cotton or bamboo
- Less than 1% bio-based topcoat
By combining renewable raw materials with advanced material science, ELEVATE is designed to deliver the consistency, quality, and versatility required for commercial applications across fashion, accessories, automotive, and other industries.
At UNCAGED, we believe material innovation should be supported by measurable data and clear documentation. Understanding how a material is sourced, assessed, and constructed provides valuable context beyond performance alone.