Two entrepreneurs in Mexico have developed a durable vegan leather from cactus, and it could very well replace animal leather!
Adrian Lopez Velarde and Marte Cazarez came together to create a cruelty-free alternative to animal leather, a first-of-it’s-kind organic leather made entirely from nopal or prickly-pear cactus.
This eco-conscious material closely resembles traditional animal leather in appearance and texture, yet it’s produced without causing harm to animals or the environment. The organically grown cactus leaves undergo a meticulous process including harvesting, cleaning, mashing and sun-drying for three days. Following this, the leaves are processed into a powder and combined with a special formula to produce this innovative leather substitute.
Apart from being natural and cruelty-free, the material also meets the specifications of several industries and can be used in:
Fashion
Leather goods
Furniture
Automobiles
It’s also flexible, breathable and durable, making it an ideal replacement for animal and synthetic leather. The touch and feel of the material is also soft and very similar to real leather. “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 and synthetic leather,” said Lopez.
The product is also highly sustainable with a lower carbon footprint than other leather alternatives. It also happens to be:
Less water intensive
Free from phthalates
Free from toxic chemicals
PVC-free