Frequently Asked Questions

To create animal leather, the skin of the animal undergoes many processes to become a final product. One process is tanning, and is considered one of the most polluting industries in the world. The pollutant is an unfiltered water that contains chromium, lead, and arsenic, which makes its way into neighboring ecosystems. The tanning process and the trend toward moving away from animal products has created a market for synthetic leathers from various materials.

Cactus Leather was created in 2019 by a Mexican company named Desserto. Desserto's goal was to invent a material that is sustainable, while also having the properties of traditional leather.

The production process of Cactus Leather is very sustainable. It starts at a certified organic cactus farm in the state of Zacatecas in Mexico. To make Cactus Leather, just the mature leaves are harvested, keeping the core of cacti intact. Thanks to this, in 6-8 months the leaves will grow back in order to be re-harvested again. Additionally, only rainwater is used to grow the cacti since the plant is naturally able to keep itself hydrated (click here to learn more about low water use of cactus).

Cactus Leather also is excellent in performance. It’s breathable, durable, and doesn’t stain. Along with great look and feel, Cactus Leather has the technical specifications required by fashion, leather goods, furniture, and even automotive industries.

Cactus Leather is meant to resemble animal leather. In the same way that alternative milks still use the word "milk," the word "leather" is used to imply its function and aesthetic.

The fabric is made using mature cactus leaves blended with polyurethane to maintain its shape. The fabric is then backed with various stitched and woven fabrics, such as cotton and polyester.

Desserto Cactus Leather is sustainable. Certified organic cactus is used to make cactus leather. Only mature leaves are harvested, keeping the core of cacti intact. Within 6-8 months the leaves will grow back in order to be re-harvested again. Minimal water irrigation is used because of the natural water-conserving nature of cacti.

Desserto Cactus Leather is considered to be durable. It can survive 10 years, or even more depending on the intensity of usage. The fabric's features are similar to those of animal or synthetic leather.

Desserto Cactus Leather is partially biodegradable and lasts up to 10 years. The organic components biodegrade while polyurethane decays at a slower rate.

Yes, the "leather" we use is not an animal leather. Cactus Leather is a PETA-approved vegan leather.

To keep the fabric clean, remove dirt with a soft clean cloth with small quantities of soap. Do not place hot objects on the material. Never use harsh chemicals or household cleaning products. Never use acetone to clean the material.

Currently, brass and black buckles do not contain nickel. Our antique silver buckle does contain nickel.

For each product, there is a corresponding size chart on the product page. Please use this guide to determine the size of an item you are interested in. If you need assistance, please feel free to email us at hello@blacknopal.com.

Black Nopal strives to offer a large assortment of sustainable products. Right now, what we have listed on our website reflects our existing inventory. Future products on our roadmap include: Cactus Leather Belts, Cactus Leather Wallets, Cactus Leather Purses, Cactus Leather Make-Up Bags, Cactus Leather Backpacks, Cactus Leather Tote Bags, and more. The fabric itself is provided by Desserto, but sheets of 1 meter fabric may be available in limited quantities on the Black Nopal website.

Please refer to the exchange and returns links in the footer of the Black Nopal website. Additional information is included in your confirmation and delivery emails.