The ethical and environmental issues surrounding the textile industry and the use of real leather are among the most sensitive topics of debate today. The search for materials that are alternatives to those of animal origin has become a necessity, also due to the growing difficulty in sourcing hides.

Following the arrival on the market of synthetic leather — the production of which still involves the use of substances that are toxic to the environment — the real revolution comes from a Spanish designer, Carmen Hijosa, who has patented a new fabric obtained from the fibres of pineapple leaves.

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The idea was born during a working trip the designer took to the Philippines where, coming into contact with the reality of tanneries, she developed the intention of creating a sustainable material that would lend itself, just like leather, to the production of bags, shoes and other textile products. However, the inspiration came only after she observed the barong talong, a traditional Filipino shirt woven with fibres from pineapple leaves.

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After five years of research carried out between Spain and the United Kingdom, Piñatex was born: a material derived from pineapple leaves (approximately 480 are needed per square metre) and processed without weaving. It is an exclusively ecological and biodegradable fibre, as it derives from waste elements of the fruit that require no added water or fertilisers and, furthermore, acts as a fertiliser when disposed of.

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Thanks to its low cost (around €23 per square metre compared to €25–38 for leather hides), this innovative material has already found a place within a number of companies, including Puma and Camper, which have ventured into the creation of prototypes such as shoes, bags, hats, smartphone accessories, car seats and furnishing elements.

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