Wednesday, May 8, 2024

OtterBox Debuts Mobile Phone Cases Made From Sustainable Cactus Leather

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Leading mobile case manufacturer OtterBox, has debuted a range of cactus leather phone cases at the Consumer Electronics Show now underway in Las Vegas.

OtterBox has unveiled an innovation in mobile accessories — a new smartphone case crafted from nopal cactus, offering a leather-like feel while embracing sustainability. This new line, named Symmetry Series Cactus Leather, marks a significant step in eco-friendly technology, combining luxury with environmental consciousness.

Developed in collaboration with Adriano di Marti, the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather is a pioneering venture into using Desserto, a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly organic material. This innovation by Adriano di Marti uses Nopal cactus, a plant adept at thriving in harsh conditions without the need for frequent irrigation. The Symmetry Series Cactus Leather cases are designed to provide not only luxury but also durability, being resistant to wear, scuffs, and stains.

OtterBox CEO JC Richardson highlighted the company’s commitment to innovative and sustainable design. “OtterBox knows innovation occurs within every aspect of designing a product, including the materials,” Richardson said in a statement. “We’ve teamed up with Adriano di Marti to source this innovative cactus-based biomaterial that is durable, beautiful and sustainable to create a product unlike any other for both brands. These cases look good, feel good and you can feel good about using it, too.”

otterbox cactus case
Courtesy OtterBox

Adriano di Marti’s Desserto cactus farm is a model of environmental efficiency, absorbing significantly more carbon dioxide than it produces. The farm operates on a sustainable harvesting model, where only mature leaves are picked, allowing the cactus to regrow for future harvesting. The label has partnered with labels including Karl Lagerfeld and BMW.

Adrian Lopez Velarde, co-founder of Desserto, emphasized the extensive development behind this project: “Following an exhaustive development and engineering process, the organic content and performance stabilization of the material has been intelligently optimized to deliver the next generation in both biomaterials and sustainable efficiency.”

Marte Cazarez, co-founder, further elaborated on the collaboration: “We appreciate having the opportunity to collaborate with the OtterBox project team to translate the goal of achieving the most sustainable and technically advanced material into a unique designed solution.”

The Symmetry Series Cactus Leather collection includes not only phone cases but also matching wallets and Apple Watch bands. The wallets utilize MagSafe technology for secure attachment and easy MagSafe charging, while the watch bands offer comfort and breathability, perfect for all-day wear. Despite its luxurious appearance, the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather case maintains a 3X MIL-STD drop protection rating.

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