The material has flexibility, breathability, and durability that can replace animal leather industries
Real heroes are the ones who care enough to hear the call. They have the ability to come forth and heal the world in the time of need. As it is estimated that the vegan leather industry will hit more than $89 billion by 2025, the first organic leather debuted last year has already started the race. Mexican entrepreneurs Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez made their “vegan leather” entirely from the nopal cactus.
The vegan leather is also biodegradable and can be used in a variety of different products. The creators say that it can be used to replace anything from plastics to building material. The material has technical specifications required by the fashion, leather goods, furniture, and automotive industries.
The entrepreneurs’ aim was to create a sustainable, cruelty-free alternative to animal leather. The cactus leather has the ability to replace the use of animal leather and synthetic materials, thanks to its flexibility, breathability, and durability of at least 10 years.
They came up with the idea to use this vegan leather material for products after realizing how abundant the cactus is in Mexico, and how it does not require any water to grow.
“After two years of research and development, we managed to produce a suitable material that complies with the features and technical/mechanical specifications required by those industries that use animal or synthetic leather. Also, thanks to its organic composition, which is breathable and makes cactus or nopal vegan leather similar to animal leather,” Velarde said.
The creators showcased Desserto in October 2019 at the International Leather Fair Lineapelle in Milan, Italy. They are already working with major groups in different industries for potential applications.
Last year, the fashion designer H&M launched a vegan jacket made out of pineapple leather. Hugo Boss also used pineapple leather to make a new line of vegan sneakers, which were released in 2018.
