If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is that humans need to be more conscious of the choices they make and reflect on how their actions impact the environment and Mother Earth. On World Earth Day, we bring to you a company that is doing its bit to stay sustainable and create products with minimal effect on nature. Desserto, a Mexican brand creates vegan, sustainable leather using cactus as a raw material. We got talking to the brains behind the brand, Adri\u00e1n L\u00f3pez Velarde, Vice President of Desserto, on how he came up with this idea with his co-founder Marte C\u00e1zarez.<\/p>\n
The Inspiration<\/p>\n
Velarde and C\u00e1zarez, who have worked extensively in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries, often wondered why environmentally friendly alternatives were rarely incorporated into major productions lines. \u201cWe found out that the main reason was due to the lack of technical performance of such materials. So, we decided to jump into our own research and development to create the world\u2019s first cactus vegan leather (Desserto) aiming for it to be resistant, durable and versatile while being highly sustainable,\u201d he says. The duo selected cactus as the raw material to create leather as it is grown extensively in Mexico, is resistant and efficient. It also requires less water and has a long shelf life. \u201cWe wanted to work with nature and not against it,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
The Process<\/p>\n
But the journey wasn\u2019t so easy. The Desserto team spent two years analysing several cactus species native to Mexico and running trials with many different formulations to get the right one. They now have a ranch in Zacatecas, Mexico, where they grow cactus and use it to create vegan leather out of it.<\/p>\n
Explaining the process in detail, Velarde says, \u201cAt the ranch, we select and cut only the mature leaves of the plant without damaging the cactus itself, so every 6-8 months we have a new harvest. After cutting the mature leaves, we dry them under the sun for three days until we achieve the exact humidity levels that we seek. So, there\u2019s no oven or additional energy used (like gas) in this drying process. Then we process the organic raw material to make it a part of our patented formula which allows us to make the cactus vegan leather which we call Desserto.\u201d<\/p>\n
They have been conscious to make this leather in the most eco-friendly way possible. For instance, they do not use an irrigation system in the ranch\u2014the cactus grows using rainwater and earth\u2019s minerals. No herbicides and pesticides are sprayed on the cactus, making it completely organic. And, when they have excess cactus, they export and sell it nationally to the food industry as it is that safe. He says, \u201cThe selected cactus is very resilient and strong\u2014it can handle low temperatures during winter without dying, and its thorns are very small so it\u2019s easier and safer for our agriculture team to harvest it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Making a Mark<\/p>\n
Desserto was launched in Milan in October 2019, and since then the global response has been positive and encouraging. Not only have they won various awards and recognition for their creation, the cactus has also been approved by PETA.<\/p>\n
Desserto is produced as a raw material that different brands from the fashion, furniture and automotive industries can procure to make products like bags, shoes, couches, seats, etc. \u201cWe have been getting a continuous traction collaborating with great companies and designers on truly amazing projects with the common aim of reducing environmental footprint while offering quality products. We are convinced that by collaborating with brands we can have a greater positive impact.\u201d says Velarde.<\/p>\n
The vegan leather made out of cactus is making a positive difference by replacing an animal-based product with a plant-based alternative that is eco-friendly, organic, recyclable, biodegradable, and free of toxic chemicals. It also uses considerably less water than animal leather, and lasts up to 10 years, making it a sustainable and cruelty-free product which is what the duo set out to do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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