What is vegetable-tanned leather?

What is tanning?

Tanning is a process that transforms animal hides into soft or rigid leather, depending on the desired result. It makes them resistant to water and prevents them from rotting.

What is vegetable tanning?

Vegetable tanning is an ancient, natural technique that uses tannins from plant materials such as bark, plants, and berries to tan animal hides. 

Why avoid chrome tanning?

Chrome tanning is the most common method because it is the cheapest and fastest, but it is highly polluting and poses a danger to the environment, leather workers, and the end consumer. Indeed, chrome is a heavy, toxic metal that can irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions. It is also present in the sludge that is released into the environment.

Why choose vegetable tanning?

Although vegetable tanning is more expensive and takes longer, it is cleaner and less dangerous than chrome tanning. Since it requires no chemicals, it is safer for workers and the end consumer. It is also more environmentally friendly because the sludge produced at the end of the process, as well as the leather, is biodegradable. 

Some brands using vegetable-tanned leather

Bellroy, Kleman, Le Sellier, and Nudie Jeans are brands that have chosen to use vegetable-tanned leather to offer their customers high-quality, ethical, and sustainable products. Discover these brands in your Neiwa store in Toulouse!