Desserto: Cactus-Based Material Revolutionizes Sustainable Design

Mexican brand Desserto, founded by Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, has developed a cactus-based material from nopal cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) that offers a scalable, low-environmental-impact alternative for industries including fashion, automotive, and furniture design. Officially launched in Milan in October 2019 and produced by Adriano Di Marti S.A. de C.V., Desserto uses a patented formula to transform mature leaves harvested every 6-8 months from perennial cactus crops that require only 200 liters of water per kilogram of dry matter—compared to 1,000 liters for conventional crops. The leaves undergo a three-day natural drying process in solar chambers, eliminating additional energy needs. Unused cactus parts are sold to the national food industry. Across 14 acres, the cultivation absorbs approximately 8,100 tonnes of CO₂ annually, while the company's emissions total only 15.30 tonnes, supporting a carbon neutrality goal. Desserto has partnered with Hublot for a limited-edition watch strap, Adidas for boxing gloves, Karl Lagerfeld for bags and accessories, and Mercedes-Benz for the VISION EQXX electric concept car interiors. The brand emphasizes full supply chain transparency and traceability, promoting biodiversity and organic practices without herbicides or pesticides.