You've probably heard of olive oil. But did you know that the leftovers from olive oil production can become one of the most promising leather materials in the world?
We were surprised too. Then we were fascinated.
What is Oleatex?
Oleatex is a plant-based leather material made from the waste products of olive oil production. Specifically: olive leaves, olive pits, and olive pulp — everything left over after pressing — are processed into a high-quality leather alternative.
The result: a material that is approximately 75% bio-based, soft and warm to the touch, and exceptionally durable for a plant-based leather.
Why olive oil by-products?
The clever thing about Oleatex is what it doesn't need:
- No dedicated crop. The olives are already grown for oil. The waste — leaves, pits, pulp — would otherwise be biomass or disposal. Oleatex turns a problem into a material.
- No additional land. No new fields, no deforestation. The olive trees are already there.
- No synthetic pesticides. Mediterranean olive groves are typically managed with minimal intervention.
- No animal products. Goes without saying — but it's nice to say it.
What does Oleatex feel like?
This is the question almost everyone asks — and the answer surprises people.
Oleatex doesn't feel like a substitute. It has a pleasant warmth and flexibility that recalls quality real leather — without the stiffness of some synthetic alternatives. When people touch a Coneli bag made from Oleatex for the first time, we've repeatedly heard: Wait, this isn't real leather?
No. And that's the point.
Oleatex vs. other plant-based leathers
| Oleatex | Cactus Leather | Apple Leather | PU Leather | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source material | Olive waste | Nopal cactus leaves | Apple peels/cores | Crude oil |
| Bio-based content | ~75% | ~65–80% | ~50% | 0% |
| Texture | Soft, warm | Lightly textured | Fine, smooth | Cool, shiny |
| Durability | Very high | High | Medium-High | 2–5 years |
| Availability | Rare | Growing | Growing | Everywhere |
Why we chose Oleatex for Coneli
When we evaluated materials for Coneli, we tested many. Oleatex stood out for two reasons:
First: the feel. Coneli bags are meant to feel like something. Not like a compromise.
Second: the story. There are few materials whose origin is this cleanly explainable: olive oil is pressed → residue remains → residue becomes leather → leather becomes a bag. A cycle that makes sense.
We currently use Oleatex in selected models like our Bucket bag or Wallet. The material comes from the Mediterranean region, processed in Portugal.
Is Oleatex the future of leather?
The honest answer: it's one of the most promising materials we know. It's not yet widely available and not yet 100% biodegradable — the binding component remains a challenge for the entire industry.
But the direction is right. And we're glad to be in early.