The leather trade in recent years has been the subject of much controversy, and for good reason. Its effects on the world’s ecological system are dire; Approximately one billion animals are killed for their fur and fur, and before their premature and brutal death, they consume valuable water and expel methane into the atmosphere.
After his death, the products are treated with harmful chemicals. Faux leather imitations that are made of plastic rarely come close to successfully capturing the feel of leather, and are only marginally less harmful to the environment; Until now, leather and imitation leather have been synonymous with environmental damage and animal suffering.
Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez (Photo: Desserto)
Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez hope to change that. The two Mexican businessmen have successfully created a fake ‘leather’ of cactus leaves called Desserto. The process does not involve tortuous animal suffering, harmful plastics, and little or no water consumption.
The leather does not contain toxic chemicals, phthalates or PVC (Photo: Desserto)
The leaves have an almost identical touch to the real one after treatment (a process that the two have perfected for a decade) and the dyes used are also completely natural; Add this to the fact that cactus-based ‘leather’ is partially biodegradable, and the company, called Adriano Di Marti, may have found the future of leather production. The material has already been used successfully to make car seats, handbags, shoes, and other types of clothing, and it is also breathable and stretchy, which means it matches and, in some cases, works better than the material for the one who is destined. imitate.
Desserto is a highly sustainable vegan leather plant made from cacti (Photo: Desserto)
Perhaps almost as impressive is that the supply of cactus leather is almost endless, unlike its animal or plastic counterparts. As long as cacti can grow and consume a minimal amount of water to survive, there is no end to how much of this product can be grown and how it can be further developed.