In favor of caring for the environment and against animal exploitation, the Mexicans Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez developed a vegan leather made with nopal. It was a complete success in the last edition of the International Leather Fair, Lineapelle 2019, held in Milan, Italy.
The objective of the entrepreneurs, due to their interest in reducing the environmental impact, was to create a sustainable alternative, free of animal cruelty and free of toxic chemicals, phthalates and PVC. Two years of research in Jalisco and Aguascalientes resulted in a partially biodegradable leather that meets the technical specifications required by the fashion, leather goods, furniture, and even automotive industries.
The nopal, from the cactus family (better known as cactus), offers a resistant, flexible, breathable fabric and its durability is around 10 years. Therefore, it can easily replace the use of animal leather and other synthetic materials that have a negative impact on the environment.
In July 2019, Mexican entrepreneurs launched the marketing of this ecological alternative under the name of Desserto. The brand is making its way into the fashion industry in countries like Italy, Australia and Slovenia, among others.
The plant with which this vegan skin is made does not need irrigation for its cultivation and is extremely abundant throughout the Mexican Republic. This turns the nopal into a highly sustainable material that significantly reduces its environmental footprintcompared to traditional textile industries.
To make one meter, three cactus pads are needed and its preparation takes approximately two weeks. It is done by a organic process that does not affect the ecosystem: every six months the ripe leaves are extracted from the plantation, dried in the sun and made into powder to later become an ideal material for the manufacture of all kinds of products that are usually made with leather of animal or synthetic origin.
Taking into account that The textile industry is one of the most polluting, it is a global need to find quick solutions that avoid tons of waste and excessive use of resources. In addition, intolerance towards animal abuse, subjugation and exploitation is increasing. That is why this vegan skin could be a sustainable, conscious and low-impact solution in all areas.
As consumers, increasing the demand for materials that are friendly to the environment and respectful of the lives of all animals, can help a greater number of brands around the world choose to manufacture their products in awareness of the state of climate emergency in which they are find the planet
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Sources:
FashionUnited