How a material originally developed for jeans labels is revolutionising vegan bags today – and why it's unlike anything you've ever called "paper" before
Paper.
That sounds like origami, like notebooks, like something that goes soft in the first rain and falls apart.
Washpapa® is none of those things.
It's a material that has been used in the fashion industry for over 70 years – originally for the labels inside jeans by Levi's and Tommy Hilfiger, today as a fully-fledged textile material for bags, cases and accessories.
And it's the second core material behind Plant Inside products – alongside Viridis®, our plant-based leather made from corn and wheat.
What Is Washpapa®?
Washpapa® is a vegan paper textile made from long cellulose fibres reinforced with synthetic latex. It contains no animal-derived components – the latex used is fully synthetic. The material is water-resistant, tear-resistant and surprisingly durable. When wet, Washpapa® becomes soft and mouldable – once dry, it returns to its natural firmness. Washpapa® carries the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification and FSC certification, and is produced in Germany.
The name Washpapa® combines two properties: Wash (washable) and Papa (paper) – a material that does exactly what its name promises.
How Is Washpapa® Composed?
Washpapa® is not ordinary paper. It's a composite material made from several components that together create its unique properties:
60–91% cellulose fibres The base of the material is long cellulose fibres – the same fundamental substance as wood and paper, but in a form that withstands significantly more stress than regular paper.
5–35% synthetic latex The latex is the key to everything. It makes Washpapa® water-resistant, tear-resistant and dimensionally stable – without using any animal-derived components. The latex used is fully synthetic.
4–6% water plus small amounts of dyes and other components The remainder of the material consists of water, dyes and minimal quantities of other components.
What Makes Washpapa® Truly Special
Wet is stronger than dry
That sounds counterintuitive – but it's one of the most fascinating properties of Washpapa®.
When dry, the material is stiff and structured. When wet, it becomes soft, pliable and significantly more tear-resistant than in its dry state.
This is not a coincidence. This is physics.
And it's exactly what we use during production.
Before every Plant Inside Lunch Bag is sewn, the Washpapa® material is first moistened with water. In its soft state it is precisely folded and shaped – the sharp edges, the structured form, the perfect proportions of the Lunch Bag all come into being at this moment. Only then is it sewn. As the material dries, it returns to its natural firmness – and the shape stays.
No tools, no machines. Just water, skill and time.
Water-resistant – but not waterproof
Washpapa® is water-resistant – liquids bead off the surface without penetrating. This makes it ideal for everyday products that are occasionally exposed to moisture.
It is however not fully waterproof. With prolonged contact with water or heavy rain, moisture can penetrate.
How Washpapa® really holds up after years of daily use – including what happens when yoghurt spills inside – is documented in our real-life test: how durable is vegan leather really? 2–4 years of everyday experience.
Lightweight and foldable
Washpapa® weighs almost nothing – and folds completely flat when empty. This makes it the ideal material for lunch bags that are taken out and packed away every single day.
Everything about the Plant Inside Lunch Bag – capacity, colours, care and everyday performance – in our complete Vegan Lunch Bag Guide 2026.
Cleaning under running water
Yoghurt spilled? Sauce leaked? No problem.
Washpapa® can simply be rinsed under running water. Most marks disappear with a damp cloth and mild soap – without residue, without visible damage.
Note: Washpapa® does not carry food safety certification. We recommend always transporting meals in sealed containers.
Did You Know?
Washpapa® was originally developed for the labels inside jeans – for brands like Levi's and Tommy Hilfiger. The material had to survive washing cycles, retain colour and still look like paper. These demands shaped a material that today serves as a fully-fledged textile for bags and accessories. (Source: alternativetextiles.pl)
The Certifications of Washpapa® – What They Mean
Oeko-Tex Standard 100
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 guarantees that Washpapa® does not release harmful substances and is safe from a human-ecological point of view. The certification is awarded by an independent research institute and requires regular re-testing.
FSC® – Cellulose from sustainable forests
The FSC® certification ensures that the cellulose fibres in Washpapa® come from sustainably managed forests – with full traceability along the supply chain.
Washpapa® vs. Other Vegan Materials
Washpapa® and Viridis® are both plant-based materials – but they are very different:
|
Washpapa® |
Viridis® |
Standard PU |
|
|
Base |
Cellulose fibres |
Corn & wheat |
Petroleum |
|
Animal-free |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Water-resistant |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Foldable |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Mouldable when wet |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Oeko-Tex |
✅ |
✅ Class 1 |
❌ mostly |
|
FSC® |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Country of production |
Germany |
Italy |
varies |
In short: Viridis® imitates leather – Washpapa® is deliberately something else. A material that doesn't hide its paper origins but celebrates them.
Why we at Plant Inside deliberately choose long-lasting plant-based materials over short-term alternatives is explained in our article Why Our Products Aren't Biodegradable – and Why That's the Right Decision.
How Does Washpapa® Perform in Everyday Use?
Surface and appearance
At Plant Inside we use Washpapa® in the Aged version – which has a leather-like structure and is available in five colours:
- Black – classic and timeless
- Chocolate – warm and natural
- Sahara – light and summery
- Pastel Plum – soft and modern
- Navy Blue – classic and versatile
Care
Washpapa® is surprisingly easy to maintain:
- Light marks: damp cloth
- Heavier stains: rinse under running water
- Allow to air dry
- Do not machine wash
- Do not dry in direct sunlight
Durability
With normal everyday use, Washpapa® lasts several years. In our daily lives, team members have been using Lunch Bags made from Washpapa® for over four years – without visible damage or loss of function.
Which Plant Inside Products Are Made from Washpapa®?
Washpapa® is the material for two product categories at Plant Inside:
- Vegan Lunch Bags – in five colours, handcrafted in Poland
- Vegan Laptop Cases for MacBook – in five colours, handcrafted in Poland
Our plant-based leather bags – Shopper Bags, Crossbody Bags, Laptop Bags, Baguette Bags and Wallets – are made from Viridis®, which you can learn more about in our article What Is Viridis®? Plant-Based Leather from Corn and Wheat.
FAQ
What does "Washpapa" mean?
The name combines "Wash" (washable) and "Papa" (paper) – a material you can wash that is still made from paper.
Is Washpapa® really made from paper?
Yes – but not like ordinary paper. Washpapa® consists of long cellulose fibres reinforced with synthetic latex. The result is a material that is water-resistant, tear-resistant and dimensionally stable – while remaining lightweight and foldable.
Where is Washpapa® produced?
Washpapa® is produced in Germany.
Can you wash Washpapa®?
Rinsing under running water – yes. Machine washing – no. The material is water-resistant and can be cleaned under running water when needed.
Is Washpapa® safe for food?
Washpapa® does not carry food safety certification. We therefore always recommend using sealed containers for meals.
Is Washpapa® vegan?
Yes. No animal-derived components are used in production – the latex is fully synthetic.
What certifications does Washpapa® carry?
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 · FSC®
How does Washpapa® differ from Viridis®?
Viridis® is a plant-based leather from corn and wheat – it imitates leather in appearance and feel. Washpapa® is a plant-based paper textile from cellulose fibres – it has its own unmistakable identity that is deliberately different from leather.