Arture Launches Range of Cactus Leather Products In India

The Indian vegan leather brand Arture has reached higher up on the sustainability scale by introducing vegan leather products made from cactus to its range. Based in Chennai, the brand launched with products made out of cork leather- a celebrated eco-friendly and affordable leather alternative. They have now extended their vegan leather substitute to include cactus sourced from Mexico.

A common criticism of vegan leather is that it is made from plastic or other environmentally harmful materials. Even though studies show that animal leather is extremely harmful for the environment, vegan leather or ‘pleather’ is sometimes not enough to persuade consumers to buy cruelty-free.

However, Arture has made it possible for environmentally-conscious consumers to opt for an ethical and sustainable alternative. The founder, Shivani Patel says that cactus is a much more versatile material to be turned into leather. It also has a smoother, more luxurious finish than cork.

She comments on the process of harvesting cactus: “It does not harm the cactus or prickly pear, to be more precise. They are only given a trim and their pads then regenerate, much like cork bark.”

Animal-derived leather is a by-product of the animal agriculture industry, which has proven to be one of the leading contributors of carbon and methane emissions, accelerating climate change.

Arture produces 100% natural vegan leather products which are water-resistant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, fire-resistant and bouyant. Plant-derived leather is also biodegradable, non-toxic, and requires less resources in its production.