According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Next to the oil industry, leather is one of the most polluting production sectors in the world. Could the green answer to leather be found on pineapple leaves?

So Dole, one of the largest producers of pineapples in the world, partnered with Ananas Anam to produce Piñatex. A vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable leather alternative; made from the fiber of pineapple leaves that would otherwise go to waste.While other vegan alternatives are plastic based and ecologically toxic, Piñatex is a sustainably sourced textile with a closed loop production.

Every year over 2.5 million tons of pineapple are grown in the Philippines.

While the fruit is packaged to feed people all over the world, pineapple leaves are left behind. For every ton of pineapples harvested, 3 tons of leaves are wasted. And when left to rot could create methane emissions over 20 times more harmful than CO2. Could the green answer to leather be found on pineapple leaves?

Dole, one of the largest producers of pineapples in the world, partnered with Ananas Anam to produce Piñatex® A vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable leather alternative; made from the fiber of pineapple leaves that would otherwise go to waste.

While other vegan alternatives are plastic based and ecologically toxic, Piñatex®

is a sustainably sourced textile with a closed loop production.

After the rescued pineapple leaves become Piñatex®, the residual leaf biomass is converted into natural fertilizer providing a truly eco-friendly option for the fashion industry.

In 2011, Dr. Carmen Hijosa leather goods expert, files the first patent for the process of transforming fiber into an alternative to leather and other textiles of what would years later become Piñatex. After many years of exploration and development, in 2021 Ananas Anam partners with Dole Sunshine Company, one of the largest pineapple producers in the world, and using Dole's pineapple leaves that would otherwise go to waste increases commercialization of Piñatex exponentially across the globe. Over 200 brands in 80 countries worldwide are now using Piñatex for a more sustainable future. Piñatex gained successful partnerships with major brands like H&M, Hugo Boss and Nike who in 2021, launches their happy pineapple sneaker collection, made from Dole's pineapples leaves that would otherwise go to waste. In 2021, Ananas Anam is certified as B-CORP. Piñatex is part of Dole's ongoing efforts to achieve zero waste from its farms by 2025.

After Dole pineapple leaves have been harvested for food, the leaves of the plant, which are considered waste are either left behind to rot or burned. The suitable plant leaves are collected in bundles, then the long fibers are extracted using semi-automatic machines. Piñatex partners with farmers to collect pineapples leaves. The fibers are washed then dried naturally by the sun, or during the rainy season in drying ovens. The dry fibers go through a purification process to remove any impurities.The processed pineapple leaf fibre (PALF) get mixed with a corn based polylactic acid (PLA) and undergoes a mechanical process to create Piñafelt, a non-woven mesh which forms the base of all Piñatex collections.

Piñatex is made of up to 95% of renewable resources. Its composition is 72% PALF blended with PLA 18% to form the felt. The coating is 5% bio-PU, 5% PU.

Piñatex is a cruelty-free, plant-based and PETA-certified vegan material. Piñatex is also REACH compliant, which certifies that no hazardous chemicals were used in its production.

Piñatex brings socio-economic stability in the rural areas of the Philippines. It provides job security and diversifies income streams. At the farming level jobs have been created in multiple areas; leaf gathering, fibers extraction, logistics and quality control systems. Furthermore, our business model is unlocking commercial potential for natural fibers in developing countries: strengthening global value chains for rural development, poverty alleviation and the environment. Piñatex has raised awareness for natural pineapple leaf fibers from the government to industry and research. Over 200 brands in more than 80 countries are now using Piñatex to become more sustainable. Including Hugo Boss, H&M and Nike who use Piñatex to create their happy pineapple sneakers out of Dole pineapple leaves that would otherwise go to waste. Piñatex is part of Dole's ongoing efforts to achieve zero waste from its farms by 2025.