Maguey

Maguey is a natural material obtained from various species of agave plants, most commonly Agave americana and Agave cantala, native to Mexico and Central America. Its history dates back to the pre-Columbian era, where it was an important resource in the cultures of the Aztecs and Mayans. Traditionally, it is processed manually: the agave leaves are stripped, soaked in an alkaline process, and mechanically crushed to separate long, coarse fibres known for their high strength and resistance to decay. After cleaning, maguey fibres are dried, combed, and usually twisted or woven. In the textile industry, they are mainly used for ropes, sacks, coarse fabrics, and technical textiles (such as sisal or henequen products), as well as in traditional crafts like sandals, nets, and mats. Today, due to its renewability and biodegradability, maguey is also used in environmentally focused textile production.