Plant protein based imitation leather material and methods of making same

A method of producing a monolayer imitation leather material, comprising:

• combining into a mixture,
• a one or more plant protein powder in an amount in a range of about 28% to about 65% (w/w), wherein the one or more plaint protein powder comprises an at least 70% protein content and wherein the one or more plant protein powder is comprised of wheat gluten, brown rice protein, barley protein, maize protein, or any combination thereof,
• a one or more non-proteinaceous polymer in an amount in a range of about 25% to about 50% (w/w),
• a one or more plasticizer in an amount in a range of about 8% to about 25% (w/w),
• a one or more cross-linking agent in an amount in a range of about 1% to about 5% (w/w, based on a weight of the protein content of the one or more plant protein powder), and
• a curing agent in an amount in a range of about 1% to about 10% (w/w, based on a weight of the one or more non-proteinaceous polymer),
• calendering the mixture into a monolayer sheet,
• wherein the calendering is conducted at a controlled roll temperature in a range from about 35° C. to 90° C., and
• wherein the calendered monolayer sheet is affixed onto a surface of a carrier fabric, and
• wherein the calendered monolayer sheet comprises a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, and
• curing the calendered monolayer sheet at a temperature in a range from about 100° C. to about 160° C., at a pressure in a range from about 0.3 Mpa to about 5 Mpa, and for a period of time in a range from about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes.