Mexican company Desserto, known for its cactus-based vegan leather, has introduced a new material that reacts directly to sunlight. This cactus-derived innovation changes colour under UV light, offering architects, interior designers, fashion and product developers a sustainable material that is both responsive and expressive.

Living materials inspired by nature

The new material is made from organic compounds found in cactus plants. These compounds include natural pigments called betalains, which protect cacti from strong desert sunlight. When exposed to UV rays, the pigments shift their structure. This molecular change alters the way light is absorbed and reflected, creating visible colour transformations. The effect is similar to a flower opening in response to the morning sun.

From biotechnology to smart design

Desserto has already gained international recognition with its plant-based leather as an alternative to animal and synthetic materials. With this new step, the company moves into the field of “living design”. The cactus-based material does not only imitate nature; it actively interacts with it. By combining biotechnology with biobased resources, Desserto creates surfaces that shimmer and shift in daylight without the use of artificial dyes or coatings.

This innovation brings sustainability and smart technology together, offering a new kind of design freedom. Surfaces become dynamic and expressive, making materials an active part of the design process.

Potential applications

The material offers opportunities across design disciplines. In interiors, colour-shifting panels or furnishings can bring natural variation into spaces. In fashion, clothing and accessories could change appearance under sunlight, creating dynamic collections. Product and automotive designers may use it for responsive finishes that surprise and delight users, while showing the potential of circular and biobased innovation.

Towards a responsive and circular future

Desserto’s UV-reactive material illustrates how plants and biotechnology can be combined to make materials that are not only sustainable but also interactive. By moving from static to responsive design, this innovation points towards a future where materials form an active dialogue between humans and nature.

Source & images: Desserto