Israeli company Nova Milan opened its first Innovation Center in the Costa Rican city of Alajuela on Wednesday, as part of a larger project to produce plant leather, sustainable fabrics and bioplastics from organic plant waste, such as bananas, coconut, yucca, and pineapple.
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The venture seeks to help solve one of Costa Rica's biggest challenges: plant-based waste.
Nova Milan founders world-renowned architect and designer Irma Orenstein Orenstein and Karim Quazzani have developed technology that takes this waste and creates a wide array of products, most notably the world's nearly petroleum-free vegan leathers.
Video: PR
"We are very proud to join this [sustainability] efforts with the environmental commitment of Costa Rica, based on Israeli innovation and technology," said Israeli Ambassador to Costa Rica Oren Bar-El said.
"We're very excited to have Nova Milan in our country," said Procomer Chairman Pedro Beirute. "Nova Milan Is an innovative company that is helping build Costa Rica's position to the world as a sustainable green country that does business with purpose and consciousness. This is a great milestone not just for Costa Rica, but also for humanity."
Nova Milan will be a major supplier to the growing needs of eco-friendly consumers worldwide.
In addition to creating a plant-based economy, Nova Milan has a very special meaning for Orenstein.
"What I love most about working with Nova Milan is that I can have an impact on two issues that are very close to my heart – bettering the environment and empowering women," she said.
"I want the women who work with Nova Milan to be proud of themselves because they are making Costa Rica the vegan leather capital of the world. I know this will inspire them and generations to come."
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