Natural
sisal
Sisal is a species of flowering plant, also known as the Agave sisalana plant, that is native to southern Mexico but cultivated in many other countries including China, Brazil and Kenya.
The fibres in the leaves of the plant are extracted using a machine that crushes the leaf between rollers. The pulpy substance that remains is then washed to leave behind only the fibres which can be spun into yarn and transformed into a sustainable material.
This material is comparable to jute in the way it looks and feels but it is stiffer and more durable which is why one of its most popular applications is for cat scratching posts. It’s also used to make rugs, baskets and twine.
Since almost no toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, are used during the cultivation of sisal it is a naturally organic material, as well as being biodegradable.
