CES 2024: OtterBox Launches New Cases Made From Sustainable Cactus Leather

[MacRumors]

OtterBox, known for its range of protective cases designed for the iPhone, today announced the launch of new cases that are made from cactus leather. According to OtterBox, the cases are designed to feel like leather, but are created from the more sustainable and ethical cactus material.

The soft-touch Symmetry Series Cactus Leather Cases offer the case protection that is typical of an OtterBox accessory. There's a rigid case design with reinforced corners for shock absorption, a raised edge to keep the camera safe, a screen lip to protect the display, and DROP+ protection.

The cactus leather is sourced from the nopal cactus, which is more commonly known as the prickly pear. Producing cactus leather requires less land, water, and resources than producing traditional leather, and when mature prickly pear pads are gathered, the rest of the cactus remains alive and healthy for re-harvesting again in the future.

MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera was able to see OtterBox's cases in person at CES, and he found the material to be an improvement over Apple's leather alternative, FineWoven.

OtterBox is offering the cases alongside cactus leather Apple Watch band options and a MagSafe wallet made from the same material.

The first cactus leather cases will be priced at $60 and will be available from the OtterBox website starting in Spring 2024.

Article Link: CES 2024: OtterBox Launches New Cases Made From Sustainable Cactus Leather

 

[klasma]

the rest of the cactus remains alive and healthy for re-harvesting again in the future.

So they are skinning the poor cacti alive? 😨

 

[docfrag]

‘An improvement over Finewoven” lol

 

[tgwaste]

"but are created from the more sustainable and ethical cactus material."

Based on whos ethics?

 

[User 6502]

‘An improvement over Finewoven” lol

I think everything is an improvement over finewoven. Frankly it is offensive to even propose the comparison, I am sure otterbox had better models to compare to than that horrible material Apple produced.

 

[Kottu]

Vegen leather, cactus leather…. Why to call them leather at all? Just call plastic or plant based.

 

[JPack]

Sounds like something from the dollar store. If I'm paying $60, I want real leather. You can buy a full grain leather belt for well under $60.

 

[arthurgd3]

Vegen leather, cactus leather…. Why to call them leather at all? Just call plastic or plant based.

Yup, same as calling anything but animal milk, cow, sheep or goat milk milk. Soy, Cashew, Oat, you name it, it ain't milk anymore than this is leather.

 

[SDJim]

I mean, I prefer leather, but this seems like a vastly superior vegan solution to Apple's FineWoven. Glad to see that called out in the article.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Yup, same as calling anything but animal milk, cow, sheep or goat milk milk. Soy, Cashew, Oat, you name it, it ain't milk anymore than this is leather.

Milk weed predates nut milks. That's an old term, and it's fine to call it milk.

 

[erikkfi]

I'm really curious about these but the market for iPhone 13 Mini cases is dwindling, not expanding.

 

[emmab2006]

Why use cactus leather when a cow is readily available?

 

[JPack]

Why use cactus leather when a cow is readily available?

Profit margins. If there are suckers willing to pay $19 for a tiny polishing cloth, the sky's the limit.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Why use cactus leather when a cow is readily available?

I'd like to check it out. I'm vegetarian and don't buy/use animal leather.

 

[klasma]

‘An improvement over Finewoven” lol

That's a low bar to clear.

 

[Seffers]

Milk weed predates nut milks. That's an old term, and it's fine to call it milk.

The liquid from milkweed is called sap, not milk.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The liquid from milkweed is called sap, not milk.

It's called milkweed, but it's not milk, why use the name?

My point is, who cares? Call soy milk, milk. Call it whatever you want, it doesn't matter.

Call it it cactus leather, or vegan leather. No one is confused.

 

[krfr]

Leather is a co-product of the meat industry. People aren’t going to stop eating meat. Why not continue to offer real leather since the hide will probably be wasted anyway?

 

[seggy]

I shall only settle for the finest rafflesia leather

(as a gift to my enemies)

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Vegen leather, cactus leather…. Why to call them leather at all? Just call plastic or plant based.

Because the goal of those material is to imitate leather as close as possible. For example we call artificial rubber synthetic rubber, and we call vegetable oil based plastic bioplastic.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Leather is a co-product of the meat industry. People aren’t going to stop eating meat. Why not continue to offer real leather since the hide will probably be wasted anyway?

The problem isn’t the supply of hides, but the tanning process. Yes we have essentially a glut of hides from the meat industry, but it takes a lot to turn it into leather. Tanning, especially chrome tanning which accounts for roughly 90% of leather produced, is responsible for a large portion of the carbon emissions of the final product. Chrome tanning also results in a large amount of toxic chrome waste water. Chrome tanned leather is, contrary to popular belief, not at all biodegradable.

Additionally, while regular cowhide is a byproduct of the meat industry, other types of leather, such calfskin (baby cows) and alligator skins are made in a process where the animal can be killed primarily for the skin, with the meat being the byproduct.

 

[brofkand]

I guess I wasn't aware that there are cows out there who are slaughtered simply for the leather. Leather is a byproduct of the dairy and beef industry.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

"but are created from the more sustainable and ethical cactus material."

Based on whos ethics?

Does it matter? It simply appeals to the people whose ethics align with the philosophy behind this material. Personally I’m a meat eater and prefer real leather, but I have no problems with a good alternative for people who don’t want to be part of that, especially since this would likely be more biodegradable than synthetic fibers/plastics.

 

[jjwwqq]

No thanks, I prefer actual leather.

 

[jimbobb24]

I don’t understand the use of sustainable in the title. Leather is an organic product made from animals that reproduce organically. How is sustainable here used t differentiate from normal animal leather which is …sustainable and been with humans for millennia and will be with humans for millennia. I think it makes sense to say fusion is sustainable vs coal (which might run out in 1000 years) but between two natural products I don’t get it.