Leather is a tale as old as time: It is part of a booming $80 billion industry, making it one of the most traded products with serious moral legitimacy issues. Problematic for its cruel use of animals and harsh chemicals that severely harm the environment, this past decade has prompted a collective need to lead ethical lives in light of the Space Age.

Two entrepreneurs from Mexico are paving the way for this to become a reality. They have found a leather alternative that is not only eco-friendly but has the look and feel of real leather, and their product could save millions of animals worldwide if or when it becomes widely available. What is this magic product, you ask? It is cactus.