A revolutionary material developed by two Mexican entrepreneurs, Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, is poised to transform the global leather industry, offering a sustainable and ethical alternative that has the potential to save over a billion animals annually from being harvested for their skins.
The innovation, branded as Desserto, is the world’s first organic vegan leather made entirely from the Nopal cactus (prickly pear). The material, which is grown and processed in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, mimics the texture and durability of animal leather without the associated environmental toll or animal cruelty.
López Velarde and Cázarez, who left their jobs in the automotive and fashion industries, were driven by the desire to address the severe environmental and ethical impact of conventional leather production. The Nopal cactus proved to be the ideal raw material due to its remarkable sustainability profile:
- Zero Irrigation: The cactus grows with rainwater and requires no irrigation, unlike many other crops.
- Carbon Sequestration: The cactus plantation is reportedly carbon-negative, absorbing more CO2 than it generates.
- Perennial Harvest: Only the mature leaves are cut without damaging the plant, allowing for repeat harvests every 6–8 months.
The resulting material, Desserto, is partially biodegradable, is free of toxic chemicals like phthalates and PVC, and boasts a durability of up to a decade.
While the traditional leather industry accounts for the slaughter of over a billion animals worldwide each year, Desserto provides a viable, scalable alternative that has already been embraced by major international brands in the fashion, automotive, and luxury goods sectors.
“We created Desserto with the aim of providing a truly cruelty-free and environmentally conscious choice,” said a company representative. “The immediate and positive uptake from global manufacturers confirms the world is ready to move away from animal skins and toxic synthetic leathers.”
The introduction of cactus leather into the market represents a major victory for animal welfare and sustainability advocates, providing an accessible and high-performance material that directly challenges the dominance of animal-derived products.
