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?

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.

To make a change. 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.

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. Piñatex is a scalable textile solutions addressing the pollution in fashion and textile industry. Finally, strategically speaking, Piñatex® is part of Dole's ongoing efforts to achieve zero waste from its farms by 2025. By upcycling waste, we are creating change beyond the food industry, giving fashion brands a true green answer to leather.

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. Piñatex is scaling up production by 10 x this year.

Over 200 brands in more than 80 countries are now using Piñatex to become more sustainable. Including major fashion players like Hugo Boss, H&M and Nike who uses Piñatex to create their happy pineapple sneaker collection, made from 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. By upcycling waste, we are creating change beyond the food industry, giving fashion brands a true green answer to leather.