Vegan Industry Insights

Welcome to the April edition of Vegan Industry Insights by The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark – all the information you need to stay ahead in the vegan industry delivered straight to your inbox.??

There’s been some good news for the bio-based leather market this month. Revealed to be valued at $668.6 million in 2023, the sector is expected to grow with a staggering compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.20% by 2028. But the good news doesn’t stop there; we’ve got lots to share with you this month from across the vegan industry.?

But before we delve further into the news, we have a special treat for readers. We've put together a guide to help you reset your home, mind and body for spring, complete with Vegan Trademarked product recommendations. Read the blog here.?

Keep reading for the latest news:?

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Vegan food labels preferred over confusing plant-based terms, according to new survey.? ?

A recent study by Vegan Food & Living has revealed that “shoppers would rather have their food marked as vegan as opposed to plant-based or meat-free.” During their annual Big Vegan Survey, the magazine posed the question: “How do you prefer your food to be labelled?”, with a resounding 74% of participants saying they preferred the term vegan vs. plant based.?

An oft-debated topic in the industry, the term plant-based can describe a variety of diets and products that do not always exclude animal products. As such it can be confusing for shoppers looking for vegan items as to whether products with these labels meet their requirements.??

Vegan Food & Living editor Holly Johnson said: “Shopping can be hard work when you’re a vegan. Milk powder can often be found lurking in places you wouldn’t expect to find it, such as Salt & Vinegar crisps, so it’s not surprising that vegans want labelling that clearly shows whether a product is free from all animal products.”?

At The Vegan Society we recently ran our own survey on what consumers look for, which mirrored Vegan Food & Living’s results. When asked if they would pay more for the product with a visible vegan certification compared to the one without, a huge 75.6% of respondents who identified themselves as vegan, plant-based or vegetarian?said they would be likely or highly likely to pay more.??

Read more here.??

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Shone is the first Vegan Trademark certified product made with bio-nylon?

Fashion brand Shone is paving the way with the first bio-nylon products registered with the Vegan Trademark.?

Vegan founder Shonagh Murray is revolutionising the knitwear industry with her statement brand. Utilising unconventional knitting techniques, Shone brings forth beautiful, bold and comfortable designs, debunking the misconception of traditionally dull and uncomfortable knitwear.?

Bio-nylon is an innovative plant-based alternative to nylon. Through a sustainable manufacturing process that involves fermentation of plants, bio-nylon replaces our reliance on non-renewable fossil materials with 100% renewable ones. Alongside this it utilises recycled organic waste and significantly reduces carbon footprint by 900kg of CO2 per ton compared to conventional nylon.?

Beyond its environmental benefits, bio-nylon boasts increased biodegradability, naturally degrading in just five years under the right conditions – that’s 10 to 20 times faster than synthetic alternatives.?

Shonagh explained: “The Vegan Trademark application process was incredibly thorough and through it I learnt even more about the production of the materials I was using.?

“The Vegan Society has been incredible to work with. Not only has the team supported and guided me through every part of this process, achieving the Vegan Trademark means I have new opportunities and exciting access to some of the best online marketing to help me connect with new customers and network with other businesses.?

“As my brand and designs evolve, I am only learning more about their potential. With amazing opportunities coming from all angles, such as creating a bespoke gown for RuPaul's Drag Race, I know this is just the start of the story for Shone and it's one that I'm excited to share alongside The Vegan Society.”?

Read more here.?

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Enjoy 15% off Vegan Women Summit tickets.?

It’s not long now until the Vegan Trademark team will be attending the Vegan Women Summit on 9-10 May in West Hollywood, California. The Summit aims to empower women to build a kinder, more sustainable world.?

Our CEO Steve Hamon will be taking part in a panel discussion on the future of vegan beauty with ethical beauty brand Pacifica. With the vegan cosmetics industry growing at an exceptional rate, this is a market with unlimited potential.?

That’s not all! If you want to learn from the original vegan experts join us in the VIP section where Vegan Trademark Certification Manager Ella Marshall will be leading an interactive workshop on how you can shout about your vegan credentials with confidence.?

Don’t miss out! If you want to join us at this exciting event you can enjoy a special 15% discount on tickets here.??

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Veg Net 24?

Our last exhibition slot of Q2 will be with new partners Veg Net 2 on 5 June 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted. We’ll be there alongside some of our fantastic Vegan Trademark holders, including One Planet Pizza and Suma, to offer SME vegan brands guidance on building their brand.?

If you are attending either Veg Net 24 or the Vegan Women Summit and want to book a time to speak with one of the team, please email [email protected].?

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More Top Vegan News Stories?

There’s been a lot going on in the vegan world this month. Check out some more top stories we’ve picked out for you:?

Fry’s marketing campaign for its Plant-Based Nuggets, made in conjunction with Aardman and Netflix, wins Global Innovation Award. Read more here.? ?

Cauldron announces colourful rebrand of its iconic range. Read more here.? ?

The Vegan Society’s Media and PR officer Maisie Steadman discusses why the UK is so vegan friendly with Veg News.? Read more here.? ?

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Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest vegan news! And if you want to make sure your vegan products are accessible to consumers then shout about your credentials with confidence with the Vegan Trademark. Visit our website for more information.??

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