PIÑATEX
WHAT IS PIÑATEX?
Piñatex is a natural, non-woven textile made from cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves, PLA, and PU. The raw material that forms the base of Piñatex is a by-product of the pineapple harvest meaning it requires no additional environmental resources to produce. Moreover, it creates an additional income stream for farming communities.
Piñatex is versatile, lightweight, water resistant and durable, making it a great alternative to leather.
HOW IS PIÑATEX MADE?
Piñatex is made from cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves (over 70%), polylactic acid (made from corn starch) and PU. It is created by felting the long fibres together to create a non-woven layer.
Approximately 480 leaves (the waste from 16 pineapple plants) are needed to create 1 square metre of material.
WHY IS PIÑATEX SUSTAINABLE?
Piñatex is made from pineapple leaves that are discarded from the pineapple harvest meaning the raw material requires no additional land, water, pesticides or fertilisers to produce. It also avoids the use of toxic chemicals and heavy metals used in animal leather production, and has none of the wastage of leather caused by the shape of the animal's skin. Overall Piñatex has a low environmental impact compared to other textile crops.