L E DESSERTO ® , AN EXCEPTIO N CACTUS “LEATHER”.
Desserto (cactus) Desserto ®, developed by the Mexican company Adriano Di Marti, is a biomaterial made from the Nopal cactus (also called prickly pear).
Fully integrated into the local flora, this cactus is grown using organic farming methods and without the use of irrigation. The Nopal is also an exceptional CO2 trap, allowing Adriano di Marti's crops to have a very positive carbon footprint.
The manufacture of Desserto® consumes 9 times less energy and emits almost 20 times less less greenhouse gas than animal leather.
The visual appearance and tactile pleasure of Desserto® are simply astonishing. Tests carried out by an independent laboratory, the Centre Technique du Cuir, have also shown that this Desserto (cactus) is equivalent to calfskin in terms of strength and longevity.
AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE ALTERNATIVE
By creating this innovative material, the founders' goal is to offer an eco-responsible alternative,
sustainable and cruelty-free. The result: Desserto®, a 100% vegan material, made from the mature leaves of the cactus without damaging the plant itself.
After being harvested, the cactus leaves are dried in the sun for a few days before
to be transformed using a patented formula. The material obtained is mixed with Bio-PU (bio-sourced polyurethane) and can then be dyed with plant-based dyes.
It takes approximately 3 cactus leaves to create one linear meter of Desserto®.
Harvesting can be repeated every 6 to 8 months on the same plants after they have slowly regenerated.
This cactus “leather” is partially biodegradable and has characteristics comparable to animal leather or synthetic, in terms of durability, resistance and aesthetics.
Desserto® offers high resistance to abrasion, friction, tearing, traction and great
sustainability. This biological material is therefore an excellent alternative to animal leather.
Produced in a variety of colors, thicknesses and textures, Desserto® adapts to the requirements of fashion, leather goods, and furniture.
Thanks to the strong molecular bonds contained in the cactus. The founders explain:
“We consider our environmental footprint at every stage of our production process, which is why Desserto® has created a material that meets all environmental and performance standards, allowing designers to create beautiful accessories with elegant and durable materials »
CACTUS CULTURE
The founders chose to grow cacti on their own ranch. They explain: "Our cactus is grown organically in the fertile region of Zacatecas, Mexico. Fifty percent of our harvest is destined for the food industry. Both industries can therefore coexist with a single crop."
One of the main benefits of this plant is that it has need very little water. No irrigation system is necessary , the cactus grows with rainwater and the minerals of the earth which are rich in Zacatecas.
The cactus is a resilient species, adapted to extreme conditions, capable of surviving in areas where nothing else would grow, and it naturally regenerates the soil. In addition, it has the ability to absorb large amounts of CO2.
Cactus cultivation is perennial since the plantation lasts approximately 8 years, unlike other plantations which must be harvested and replanted every year.
Cactus plantations contribute to biodiversity and blend in with wild flora and fauna
