If explained with brevity, eco-leather is obtained from cowhide from organically raised cattle or other artificial materials. Or it is recycled from old jackets, car seats and other leather products that would otherwise end up in a landfill. It is much sustainable than its predecessor.
Eco-leather can be understood to be a purely natural source. Hence, it can be tagged as eco-friendly. Moreover, it comes from wholly replenishable entities, which replenish at a much faster rate than the conventional type. It is devoid of toxic chemicals.
The leather material can also be retrieved from the byproduct industry, such as meat or fishing.
Climate change and upcycling hymn are circulating globally. It is a concern of many. Hence, it is using such products that consumers and business alike are trying to understand what it means to environmentally conscious and how our choices affect the world.
Eco-leather is made from several different types of materials that mimic real leather.
One of the most used forms of which is the PVC, also known as vegan leather. It is very affordable and can be made readily available to the common man.
Famous for its durability and the low-cost factor, it has taken over the market of today.
Many brands have come with new ideas such as eco-leather bags that fall under a thousand-dollar price point because they use PVC instead of real leather.
There is no specific composition for eco-leather. It can be used foolproof for all purposes, and it is, without a doubt 100 per cent leather.
The only difference between the eco-leather and real leather is the tanning or seasoning process. A form of the vegetal chemical is used for dyeing and disposal, thereby minimizing the environmental impact.
The manufacturing process takes much longer, but as time passes by, eco-leather takes up a more aged yet polished look.
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What are the common types of eco-leather?
The other types of materials used for manufacturing eco-leather products are polyurethane or PU. It is a cloth kind of backed fabric that is safeguarded with a plastic coating on the top. The thickness or sleekness of the plastic is the key factor in determining the durability of the product.
A trendy alternative to plastic leather, especially in the leather industry is the pinatex, manufactured from pineapple leaf wastes. The country to first employ this method is in the Philippines. It can be considered as the most cost-friendly alternative to many other plant-based types of leather products. The launches from this company are given a coating of a synthetic material to make it look more leather-like.
One of the most exciting breakthroughs in the used of plant-based leather was the mirun. It was developed by a company called natural fiber welding. The company makes use of a minimalist approach while manufacturing their range of products. The materials used are waste cork, hemp, coconut and vegetable oil.
The leather industry was always working towards creating an option that can alternate the use of animal for their purposes.
The fashion industry is awaiting the use of possibly using biodegradable or cultured leather into its line of products.
The yeast spits out collagen that then molded into new material. This is then imposed on, tanned or dyed. The product is surely a classic look-alike of the animal leather in terms of thickness, texture and stretch.
It is a simple and agreeable attempt at getting leather material that has minimal harm on the environment. This leather is much less toxic than real leather talking in terms of the manufacturing process to use by customers.
Moreover, eco-leather is much more durable than real leather as it has a PU coating to safeguard it from abrasion, makes it water-resistant and much easier to clean.
What are the best brands that manufacture eco-leather products?
Eco-leather is considered majorly as the material that is derived by tanning vegetable oils and other chemicals. The most common technique applied is called chrome tanning. It is more integrated in terms of real leather. These properties are much more fundamentally and ecologically acceptable. They have been regularly used in products like shoes, western bags and belts.
Eco-leather is a unique message for many industries and customers alike. It goes well with the upcycling agendas. The products made from this material are equally attractive as can follow the trend with other counterparts.
Here are some of the best eco-friendly brands selling eco-leather products. These brands are not only hyping up the current trends but also making products that will save the planet from the imminent destruction.
1. TOMS
A company founded by Mr Blake Mycoskie, who once experienced a sense of immense sadness, when he was on a trip to Argentina.
He came across communities where children weren’t even wearing shoes. That was the standard way to life for them. Hence, he started this nonprofit organization to help the many in need.
The shoes manufactured by this company is purely made from eco-leather, and it is entirely environment-friendly.
2. PATAGONIA
Patagonia is a brand for those who love to explore the world around them. The activewear manufactured by them is eco-conscious. They have repair centers all around that is dedicated to repairing damaged products and hence, upgrading its longevity in return.
3. VOGUE
There are animal-free products that have continued to mount over the market and the fashion industry.
The demands in the market have been tapped to the highest reserve for providing products that are using animal-free leather or synthetic leather to protect the environment.
The breakthrough in animal leather was an alternative well known in other industries called polyvinyl chloride or PVC.
4. MATT AND NAT
The company makes high-end fashion products from synthetic leather. The real similarity between the real and the synthetic is seamless. The see-through handbags are a rage among the consumers today because of they are ecofriendly, less toxic and appealing in terms of looks or feel.
5. GUCCI
GUCCI is a well-known luxury brand all around the globe. There are handbags and shoes are especially liked by many. However, they are yet to implement eco-leather handbags into the market going ahead first with the synthetic leather shoe range.
Why is eco-leather a better option for the businesses and consumer alike?
Eco-leather is known for being considerably less toxic and much more superior to the original material. It is a popular option in the industry, such as fashion. The wide spectrum of prices and quality it offers makes it affordable to the standard buyer who is interested in owning something from a high-end company but looks grand at the same time.
While the eco-leather is being readily used in the fast fashion industry, it is water-based and free of harmful chemicals such as BPA. Indeed, these options are plastic and petroleum, but comparatively, they have less of an impact on the environment.
Being made from plastic-based products, the consumer might be skeptical about the aesthetic appeal, but these luxury brands are vouching for the difference between the two is difficult.
A great alternative to all the options is apple leather, which is a product of an Italian start-up company that is using waste generated after processing apples in the country itself.
The material is then employed in the manufacturing of highly trendy vegan sneakers for the popular Italian brand called Womsh.
The product developed from such material is proven to be extra breathable and has a more luxurious look to it as compared to PU leather items. Although the final product is much more expensive than the cheaper counterpart, it is worthy.
Summary
It is quite right that real leather is beautiful and durable, and the products manufactured from it can be vouched to fall under the luxury aesthetics. However, for eco-leather, the tanning agents are way more eco-friendly and do not harm the planet. It proved to be extra breathable and has a more luxurious look. Some of the more revolutionary characteristics of eco-leather are :
1. Genuine looks and aesthetic value
2. Natural tanning process
3. Environment-friendly
4. Less formation of waste products.
Luxury product companies such as Chanel have publicly promised its customers never to implement the used of exotic real leather made from animals for its product lines.
Addressing animal issue should be a priority for business and consumer alike.
Many startups are implementing the use of technology to solve this viable threat to the environment. One of such brands is Hugo Boss which has been using an eco-leather material called pinatex.
The fabric perfectly mimics real leather, and the company claims to be working towards finding an eco-friendly alternative to the coatings used for such products too.
Combining comfort and conservation is fundamental to current times. And with such innovative ideas that satisfy both the criteria should be adopted without hesitation.
