Everything you need to know about Cactus Leather

According to PETA, vegan leather is defined as a material made from polyurethane; a polymer made from plants, fruit waste, and even cork. Some sources have questioned the ethical nature of vegan leather, however, with one source claiming that polyurethane is made into a liquid substance with solvents. These solvents are thought to be toxic, but one new variety of vegan leather is working hard to remove these chemicals (along with phthalates and PVC) from the equation. What is Cactus Leather? Cactus material, also called “nopal” leather, is a vegan material made from, you guessed it, the cactus plant; that spiny green guy that hangs out in several of America’s deserts. It has a lovely soft texture and complies with some of the most strict quality and environmental standards. Desserto, the first company to create synthetic leather, was formed when founders Adrian Lopez Velarde and Marte Cazarez were working in the furniture, automotive, and fashion industries. They noticed just how much pollution and harm was caused as a result of animal leather production, and they wanted to create an alternative that had a lower impact.  Benefits Of Cactus Leather Cactus leather possesses several benefits in relation to look and feel, and these are as follows:  Cactus Leather is Breathable One of the most desirable characteristics of leather is its breathability. Leather has this magic power that allows it to expel moisture as vapor. This is important when it comes to sweat and the bacteria that can grow. The skin of the cactus plant is already very porous; so by nature, it is more breathable than other varieties of leather.  Cactus Leather is Softness Cactus leather has a softness that is very comparable to most animal leathers on the market today. Perhaps, this is due in part to the pads of the nopal cactus (the variety used to make leather); which have a soft yet firm feel. This not only makes for smooth leather but adds durability as well.  Cactus Leather is Biodegradable  Desserto cactus leather is up to 50 percent biodegradable and organic, according to the company’s co-founder, Adrian Lopex Velarde. Also, according to Fast Company, the juice of the Nopal cactus has been used to produce biodegradable plastic to make everything from shopping bags to jewelry.  Is It on the Market? While there is no information on who exactly has used or will use the leather for their products, we can (happily) announce that Desserto is available for sourcing. Desserto currently has three main collections of cactus leather available for sourcing at the moment; for handbags/accessories, footwear, and clothing. The leather has received several certifications and awards from organizations like PETA and USDA, so you know you are getting a high-quality, compliant product.  Brands Who Could Use It  The following brands may not be aware of Desserto yet, but we feel they should as it could provide a viable alternative to the animal leather they have been using for years. And, the material could fit in nicely with their sustainability strategies. Of course, this list is not limited to just these four brands, and several more should follow suit.  Everlane  Everlane is among the more transparent and ethical brands, but we think they could do better in terms of the leather they use for handbags and other products. The company currently uses genuine Italian leather in most of their items, and cactus leather would be a great alternative to use without sacrificing the look and feel of genuine leather.  Frye  Frye is known for their leather goods, and while we know it might be hard for the company to sell vegan leather footwear to their audience, it would be interesting to see them release a capsule collection of sneakers featuring cactus leather. It could open up a whole new market previously undiscovered.  Stella McCartney Stella McCartney isn’t a stranger to using vegan/vegetarian leather, so the transition to cactus leather wouldn’t be a daunting one. In fact, the brand hasn’t used real leather or fur since they got their start in 2001! One of the many appeals of Stella McCartney faux leather products is the fact that they don’t feel faux. This is why we feel cactus leather could be a good material for the company to experiment with, as it possesses a comparable level of quality to real leather.