Piñatex

Piñatex (Spanish pronunciation: [piɲaˈteks]) is the trade name for a non-biodegradable leather alternative made from cellulose fibres extracted from pineapple leaves.

The production process uses waste pineapple leaves, as the pineapple industry globally produces 40,000 tonnes of waste leaves each year, which are usually left to rot or are burned. Approximately 480 leaves (the waste from 16 pineapple plants) are needed to create 1 square metre (11 sq ft) of material. The material uses the long leaf fibres which are separated by the pineapple farmers for additional income, the leftover biomass from the process can be used as a fertiliser. The production of Piñatex uses no additional water, pesticides or fertilizers, and avoids the use of heavy metallic salts used in the production of chrome tanned leather.

The fiber of the leaves is shredded and hung out to dry.