TOOLBOX / FIBERS / PIRARUCU

pirarucu (fish leather).

Pirarucu Skins by Nova Kaeru is a manufactured, natural polymer, protein fiber.

Pirarucu is the largest scaled fresh water fish in the world and nativ to the Brazilian Amazon, scaling up to 3m in size and 220kg in weight. A freshwater fish native to the Brazilian Amazon. Thousands of families in the region have survival linked to their capture and conservation.

Its characteristics and high economic value have led to widespread overexploitation since the late 1960s, and a total ban under Brazilian law on exploitation in 1996.

The fish used for the Pirarucu Skins by Nova Kaeru are from sustainably managed farms controlled and regulated by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Reasources.

The company’s tanning facilities are also environmentally sustainable. 100% of organic waste produced is re-used as compost materials and wastewater that leaves the tannery goes through a pH treatment system and is then returned to reforestation farms for irrigation.

Pirarucu Skins by Nova Kaeru are derived as a byproduct from the food industry, of which come from sustainably managed fams controlled and regulated by IBAMA.

Pirarucu Skins by Nova Kaeru is tanned organically and chrome-free based on a blend of biodegradable acrylic resins polymers, glutaraldehyde, synthetic and vegetable tannins. Through what Nova Kaeru calls the Kaeru Process®, small skins are tranformed into large panels.

+ PROS

what it gives.

  • very resilient material

− CONS

what it asks.

  • can wrinkle easily
  • can be rough in hand

ADVICE

what to look for.

There is a lack of transparency in the information available for this product. Use with caution.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

where this comes from.

https://www.novakaeru.com.br/

https://www.globalgreen.solutions/nova-kaeru

https://cites.org/sites/default/files/eng/prog/Livelihoods/case_studies/CITES_livelihoods_Fact_Sheet_2019_Brazil_Pirarucu.pdf

← BACK TO ALL FIBERS

TALK IT THROUGH →