Fashion Industry Eyes Alternative Leather Made Out of Cactus–And it’s Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Photo by Adriano Di Marti

Two men have succeeded in developing an alternative to animal leather made out of Mexican cactus—and it could save millions of animals worldwide.

Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez created their vegan fabric out of the nopal cactus and spent two years researching and developing their design. They then perfected the manufacturing process in July and unveiled the fabric to the fashion world in Milan, Italy in October.

The entrepreneurs realized the environmental impact of animal leather spending years working in the furniture, automotive, and fashion industries. Upon quitting their jobs, they co-founded Adriano Di Marti to find an innovative leather replacement.

Their patented “Desserto” fabric is made out of cactus leaves that are sustainably harvested every 6 to 8 months. The material is designed to breathe easily while still being durable and partially biodegradable. In addition to the cactus-based material requiring a minimal amount of water to develop, it is grown organically in the Mexican state of Zacatecas.

The material, which is available in a variety of colors produced using natural dyes, has now been used to make everything from bags and automotive seating to shoes and jackets. Fashion Industry Eyes Alternative Leather Made Out of Cactus–And it’s Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Read More........→November 21, 2025

November 19 is World COPD Day

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day is observed on November 19.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death globally, yet the condition is relatively unknown and often underprioritized and underfunded. This is despite the fact that over 3.5 million people die from COPD each year - equivalent to the cumulative death toll from a plane crashing with 400 passengers every hour, WHO reports.

The theme for this year’s World COPD Day is “Short of breath, think COPD”, aligned with the common symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tiredness which have a major impact on those who live with the condition. The day aims to raise awareness about COPD and promote early diagnosis and effective management. Earlier diagnosis and treatment results in better clinical outcomes, including improvement in symptoms, lung function, and quality of life.

Armenia recorded a COPD mortality rate of 21 per 100,000 people in 2021, with men disproportionately affected. Male mortality reached 32.6 per 100,000, the sixth-leading cause of death, while the rate for women was 14.2, ranking tenth. Overall disease prevalence stands at 6.2%.

Smoking remains the country’s dominant risk factor. A 2022 survey found that 22.2% of Armenians smoked, including nearly half of all men but just 1.7% of women. An estimated 60.9% of COPD-related deaths were attributed to smoking alone.

As in many countries, early-stage COPD in Armenia often presents with few or atypical symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. custom title

Read More........→November 19, 2025