Most of us are aware by this point of how much cattle and other animals affect the environment. So it may seem unsustainable to choose cow leather. However, given that the “vegan leather” alternative is actually simply plastic, cow leather still prevails in terms of durability and reduced waste.
But what should you do if you don’t want to wear leather made from animals or help make virgin plastic? Introducing cactus leather to you. This novel leather substitute, like mushroom leather, has a lifespan comparable to that of animal leather without the polymers found in conventional “vegan leather.” Too good to be true? Evidently, no.
We met with Tessa Carroll, the brand’s creator and creative director of AC Official, which uses cactus leather. She covers all the essential information regarding cactus leather below.
Can you explain what is cactus leather? How do you make leather out of a cactus?
I collaborate with the creators of Desserto, a biomaterial made from cacti that can replace animal leather. The mature leaves of a prickly pear cactus are harvested, and the proteins and fibers inside are extracted to create an organic bio resin that is then coated on a carrier.
Cactus leather is being heralded as a much more sustainable option than other vegan leathers? Why is this?
This is due to a variety of factors, including the fact that cacti fields are significant carbon sinks, meaning that just the act of producing them helps to trap carbon from the atmosphere. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that cacti don’t need a lot of water to survive. This indicates that they use exponentially less water during growth and harvest than, say, waxed cotton. In actuality, Desserto’s property has no irrigation systems in place. The cactus are cultivated organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and are solely watered with rain. Additionally, the cactus’ mature leaves are removed when it has reached its full size (this takes 6–8 weeks at most), leaving the root system in the ground and preventing the release of carbon from the soil. Working with Desserto has been an amazing experience because they take sustainability into account at every stage of the value chain. from the management of land resources all the way to the actual content
How does it compare to animal leather in terms of sustainability?
In plain English, leather is not a natural product by the time it gets into the hands of the consumer, whether it is a by-product of the meat industry or not. One of the most resource-intensive manufacturing processes is the production of leather, which requires a staggering amount of poisonous chemicals to keep it from decomposing while in our possession and water to grow the grass that was used to feed the livestock in the first place. One kilogram of leather is said to require 17,000 liters of pure drinking water. Additionally, due to the quantities of harmful chemicals in the soil, EPAs (Environmental Protection Agencies) classify former leather tannery sites as inactive for a specific amount of time after their use, much like a gas station. Finally, when leather is recycled into waste, it absorbs these toxins into our soils, making them unusable for growing anything until they are regenerated.
Does cactus leather last and have a similar longevity to animal leather?
The longevity of leather is one of its many benefits. But this contributes to the issue as well. Things that last forever will always require a place to live, whether it’s in your closet, a charity shop, or just a landfill. Although Desserto offers a wide range of materials with varying technical capabilities, they can totally replace leather without sacrificing quality and, with the help of the proper designer, without sacrificing style.
Does cactus leather biodegrade?
The most advanced version of Desserto’s sustainable materials, which can contain up to 92 percent organic carbon derived from plants, is highly biodegradable and offers a variety of levels of sustainability. Depending on the textile’s use, it is backed with a variety of different textiles. At A C Official, we choose a backing made of 100 percent organic cotton, but there are additional textiles made of recycled cotton and polyester and a rubber option for furniture.
Do you think this is a better option?
Absolutely. We have till 2021 to change the course of the world, but time is running out. By utilizing cutting-edge plant-based materials, we can open the discussion about Who Made My Handbag and What Is My Handbag Made of while also dramatically reducing the environmental effects of the fashion industry. Objectivity, openness, and sustainability. What should more people be aware of regarding the leather industry, in your opinion? With 20% of the Amazon currently deforested, cattle ranching is the primary cause of this destruction. Every year, we lose an area the size of the UK to this.
The leather business employs poisonous chemicals that are harmful to individuals and the environment, including insecticides, chromium salts, tanning liquor, sulphide, and many more unpleasant substances. It produces enormous amounts of waste during the tanning and production processes, and presently, 80 percent of leather is tanned with chrome in the world, which is obvious in the health of the employees who breathe it in on a daily basis. Not to mention the animal’s life that it needs for survival. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to recover all of the pollutants produced by the tanning process, even in highly modernized tanneries. Although vegetable tanning is a good idea, it does not eliminate the need for the natural resources that were used to raise and harvest the animals in the first place. If we care so much about how much energy it takes to manufacture a hamburger, shouldn’t we also care about how much energy it takes to make our wallet?
How is cactus leather produced?
The market for plant-based leather substitutes is expanding, and designers are already using coconuts, pineapples, and olives to create fabrics that are environmentally friendly. A vegan jacket made of pineapple leather was shown by high-end retailer H&M earlier this year, and a range of leather shoes made of olive leaves was introduced by German footwear firm Thies. Locally based Malai business creates leather and accessories from coconuts!
The market for cruelty-free substitutes will continue to expand as people become more conscious of the negative consequences of the leather industry on the environment and animals. By employing plants to generate leather-like materials, a plethora of firms are attempting to make vegan leather as environmentally friendly as possible. Cactus has been used by two Mexican entrepreneurs to create a tough vegan leather that may eventually replace animal leather.
Virtually all vegan leather up until recently was created using ingredients derived from plastic. But over the past few years, inventive people have found a variety of techniques to create vegan leather from various materials, such as flowers, cactus leaves, and pineapples. We’ve gathered some of the most intriguing plant-based leathers on the market to commemorate how far the vegan leather business has come since the days of traditional leather.
Unbelievably, all vegan leather is derived from plants; nevertheless, none of them are yet totally biodegradable. This is so because each substance is either formed from a blend of plants and polyurethane, or it is made from plants and has a resin coating on it. Although a few companies already manufacture entirely compostable sneakers, compostable vegan leather shoes have yet to be invented. The good news is that most companies are attempting to make their individual vegan leathers better in order to make their shoes biodegradable.
Whether it is plant-based or entirely synthetic, vegan leather almost always has less of an impact than leather made from animals. Not only does vegan leather not involve any animals, but the breeding, growing, and killing of animals as well as the tanning process have significant negative effects on the environment. Large amounts of land, water, and feed are needed to raise animals (usually cows) for leather, and the animals release methane into the atmosphere. Additionally, the excrement from cattle ranches and factory farms pollutes the local waterways, soil, and air, posing a health risk to those who live nearby.
The company uses a blend of polyurethane and bio-oil to create their vegan leather. The bio-oil comes from cereal grains that were cultivated carbon-neutrally and organically in northern Europe. The company recently launched a new product using viscose manufactured from eucalyptus bark as part of its effort to transition away from using polyurethane to make its vegan leather.
According to Green, who claims to have met with representatives from all the “major vegan leather suppliers, all other vegan leathers made from plants also contain polyurethane in their composition, either in the form of finishing or as the backing ingredient. It is a necessary part of the manufacture.
Fortunately, Green believes that vegan leather that is completely biodegradable falls short. “Although the technology to completely eliminate polyurethane is not yet available, he believes it won’t be long before it is. Organic vegan dessert leather created from nopal cactus leaves “Soft, partially biodegradable, and strong enough to be utilized in the construction of furniture and the interiors of automobiles as well as fashion accessories like wallets, purses, and shoes.
Recently, Adrian Lopez Velarde and Marte Cazarez unveiled Dessert, a first-of-its-kind organic leather created exclusively from nopal or prickly-pear cactus, as a cruelty-free substitute for animal leather. Instead of creating and marketing their own products, they intend to offer Desserto fabric to other designers and clothing companies. The nopal cactus is a low-impact crop that spreads widely throughout Mexico without using any water.
Opuntia cactus, often known as nopal, is the source of cactus leather, a sustainable leather substitute that was created in Mexico. Desserto is a highly sustainable vegan leather created from cactus that is known for being incredibly soft to the touch. It also performs admirably for a wide range of uses and complies with the strictest quality and environmental standards. This vegan leather was created by two Mexicans who previously worked in the fashion and automotive industries, where they noticed significant environmental impacts in both fields. The vegan leather aims to provide a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative without toxic chemicals, phthalates, or PVC.
Production of Vegan Leather
Leather is a component of a thriving $80 billion business and is one of the most traded items in the world. Cacti have a lifelike appearance that makes it impossible to tell that Adrin Lpez Velarde and Marte Czarez’s vegan leather is manufactured from this arid plant. They gave their cactus-based vegan leather the name Desserto and produced it on a plantation in the Mexican state of Zacatecas using cacti that were cultivated there. The cactus’ tough, thick skin is well renowned for being the ideal texture to mimic animal leather.
“This plant doesn’t require any water to thrive, and there is plenty of it throughout the Mexican Republic, therefore the idea to use it as a raw material was born. Additionally, it is critical to rely on a consistent, ample supply of raw materials in order to be able to utilize this material into a variety of businesses. We now grow nopals on 2 hectares, with 40 hectares of more space available. We have a monthly production capacity of 500,000 linear meters.
The Zacatecas state in Mexico is home to the cactus plants, and the dessert farm is an illustration of how innovation may be developed sustainably. Every 68 months or so, just the adult leaves of the plant are chosen and harvested there in accordance with the cactus cycle. As the cactus grow healthily with rainwater and the local minerals, no irrigation systems are necessary.
Prickly Pear Cactus leaves are used to make desserts. A mature cactus plant’s leaves are harvested, cleaned, and crushed before being dried in the sun for three days until the necessary humidity levels are reached. Either the plant’s fresh, young leaves or its older leaves are used in the production of cactus leather. Then, it can be naturally coloured utilizing techniques created by Adriano Di Marti, Lpez Velarde, and Czarez’s business. This results in vegan leather that is organically certified and durable enough to withstand frequent use for almost ten years.
Following processing and mixing with non-toxic chemicals, the organic raw material is then formed into any texture and hue. There are no pesticides or herbicides utilized at the ranch because it is entirely organic. All of the organic cactus material that isn’t used is exported and sold to the food sector on a national level.
Properties of Vegan Leather
Additionally, it is supple, breathable, and strong, making it a great alternative to leather made from animals or synthetic materials. The fabric is smooth to the touch and feels very much like genuine leather. In comparison to other leather substitutes, the product has a lower carbon footprint and is also more sustainable. In addition, it is:
- less reliant on water
- without phthalates
- free of harmful substances
- PVC-free
The vegan leather from the desserto cactus meets all technical standards set by the fashion, leather products, furniture, and even the automotive industry. It is pliable, permeable, and stain-free. The flexibility, adaptability, and breathability of cactus leather, which has an approximate ten-year lifespan, are comparable to those of leather made from animals or synthetic materials. Earth-friendly qualities such being partially biodegradable and lacking hazardous chemicals, phthalates, and PVC round out the features.
Uses of Plant Leather
In addition to being natural and free of cruelty, the material also satisfies the requirements of numerous industries and can be used in:
- Fashion
- Leather products
- Furniture
- Automobiles
In terms of cost, vegan leather is comparable to genuine leather. The company has so far produced clothing, shoes, handbags, and even car seats. Cactus leather doesn’t include any plastic, which is another drawback of synthetic leather, and is largely biodegradable, which is good news for the environment. This provides a genuine, environmentally friendly substitute for animal leather.
What is the composition of cactus leather?
The unquestionable necessity to go green is being handled in the fashion industry with distinctive style. Desserto, a textile company located in Mexico that creates a velvety, waterproof vegan leather replacement completely from Nopal Cactus, is one of the most interesting newcomers to the market. T.A. Walsh penned the article.
The unquestionable necessity to go green is being handled in the fashion industry with distinctive style. Sustainable materials are becoming increasingly popular, from vegan leather created from recycled pineapple harvests to heels that turn reclaimed cork into stylish footwear.
Desserto, a textile company located in Mexico that creates a velvety, waterproof vegan leather replacement completely from Nopal Cactus, is one of the most interesting newcomers to the market. Together, designers Marte Czarez and Adrin Lpez Velarde created a vegan leather that is both high-quality and versatile by combining their expertise in the fashion, automotive, and furniture industries.
Desserto’s founders had a long experience of dealing with leather, and given its severe environmental impact and the cruelty involved in breeding cows for their hides, they grew deeply concerned about it. They made the decision to develop a premium vegan leather that is free of all the hazardous baggage since they have a keen awareness of the requirements of luxury companies.
The leaves of the Nopal cactus plant, which may be picked without harming the plant, are used to make cactus leather. Desserto raised a variety of native plants that are natural to the area and require very little water to grow.
All of Desserto’s cactus plants are raised on a ranch owned by Velarde and Czarez in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. They take care to maintain the plant’s health and life by harvesting materials leaves from their adult cactuses every six to eight months. This ranch uses no irrigation because it is committed to long-term health rather than maximizing resource extraction. The cactus can be cultivated in Zacatecas with only rainwater and naturally occurring earth minerals.
After being gathered, the water-saving, CO2 absorbing raw material is processed without the use of any harmful chemicals to produce high-quality, convincing vegan leather. The resulting impermeable, strong, and aesthetically beautiful biodegradable cactus leather is silky to the touch.
the first organic substance derived from the nopal cactus, or “Highly sustainable is the prickly pear cactus. The fabled capacity of the nopal plant to take up carbon dioxide. It needs very little water to develop, just as many other desert plants. Their cactus requires only 200 liters of water as opposed to the usual plant’s 1,000 liters, which is required to generate 1 kilogram of dry material.
Additionally, the food business receives 50% of the harvested leaves from Desserto. This indicates that a single crop yields two goods. This multifunctional advantage of cactus leather is significant because a projected worldwide food crisis is one of the most important climate change-related worries.
While all vegan leathers are free from animal testing and thus a vast improvement over conventional leather, the environmental advantages of cactus leather are far greater.
Some traditional leather businesses attempt to claim that they use a “that would otherwise be thrown away. Although there is some truth to that, the majority of leather is treated with chromium, a highly toxic substance that seriously harms the environment. Without harmful chemicals that leak into water systems, cactus leather is made naturally. The well-known fact that raising cows significantly increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is fully eliminated by cactus leather.
You might be asking what can be done with cactus leather now that we know it is ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and completely cruelty-free. The short answer is that traditional quality leather can be used for just about everything.
As well as the inside of cars and upscale furniture, cactus leather has also been utilized to create cute handbags, vegan leather shoes, and faux leather coats. Desserto and House of Fluff have teamed up to create leather jackets that are as durable as nails. In the world of footwear, CLAE has introduced the original Cactus leather sneaker in a distinguishing shade of green.