Berlin based designer Christine Rochlitz and founder of the vegan and sustainable luxury designer handbags and accessories brand LUCKYNELLY – BERLIN has developed an innovative vegan material made from tangerine peels which offers a new alternative to (exotic) leathers. Peel, also known as rind or skin, is the outer protective layer of a fruit or vegetable which can be peeled off. The almost white inner peels (the mesocarp or albedo) contain large amounts of pectin and are therefore also used for industrial pectin extraction. The pectin performs a firming and water-regulating function and contributes to the stabilization of the vegan leather. Its properties as a thickener, protective colloid and stabilizer are also used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries to increase the viscosity and stability of emulsions and suspensions and to create various gels, creams and pastes.

Citrustex (citrus/textile) is a vegan and sustainable material made from tangerine peels or other citrus fruits waste.

The tangerine peels are mixed with different vegan and organic ingredients and becomes water resistent and durable through covering with a special plant oil-based liquids and plant based waxes.

CITRUSTEX is 100% organic and sustainable and and DOES NOT CONTAIN PLASTICS such as PVC or PU.

The finished material is flexible, sewable and has an interesting pattern in a yellowish-orange color.

The material can be used for the manufacture of unique, vegan luxury handbags or jewelry.

Handmade in Berlin.

Open for collaboration.

Find out more here.

Photos by Christine Rochlitz©