Difference between revisions of "Bio leather"

Revision as of 12:04, 17 February 2017

Bio leather - Organic leather

"Bio" does not have a clear definition. It generally describes a "green" ideal of a product that is made in as environmentally-friendly a way as possible, does not harm the consumer and can be disposed of without damaging the environment. An exact ruling on how and when a product can be called "bio", "biological" or "organic" is not available.

Bio-Leather - Tanning methods

Sometimes tanned leathers that are chrome- and metal-free are referred to as bio leather. But this is misleading because chrome-tanned leathers are not a danger to health.

The term bio leather is usually used in connection with vegetable-tanned leather. This is because "vegetable" sounds ecological and some may associate it with a product manufactured ecologically. However, when comparing chrome tanning with plant-based vegetable tanning, the entire production process should be taken into account and not just the source of the tanning agents.

A scientific investigation comparing these tanning methods came to the conclusion that both tanning methods are more or less identical in resource-conserving and/or resource-sparing. The disadvantage of the chemical content of chrome tannin must be compared with the disadvantages of vegetable tanning. The disadvantages of vegetable tanning are:

• Vegetable tanning agents must be extracted in distant countries (cutting trees, tannin production).
• Delivering the tannins to the tanneries involves long sea voyages and high fuel consumption.
• The consumption weight of plant tannins per tanned skin is significantly higher than with chrome tanning agents.
• The sewage water contamination resulting from the considerably higher number of tanning baths, which the leather has to go through, is much higher in vegetable tanning than with chrome tanning.

Criteria for bio leather

Leather production is the conversion of a waste product by the tannery into a durable, natural material. During this conversion, various production stages are carried out. Depending on environmental requirements and their controls, tanneries across the world are subject to varying rules. In developed countries, it can be assumed that the leather production requirements are much more stringent. But most of world production does not take place in developed countries with strict regulations. It can be assumed that leather production in developed countries will be more beneficial to the environment. Accordingly, leather prices are higher. In any case, fulfilling these requirements also do not suffice for labelling as "bio-leather".

The following aspects play a role in the naming of a leather as "bio leather":

Complete traceability of the animal skin:

• Where was the animal kept throughout the life cycle? In the free nature? Barn or cage? Other living conditions?
  
• What drugs have been administered? Permanent vaccinations and preventive antibiotic care etc.?
  
• How was the animal fed? Fresh food? Recycled wastes from other productions? Pesticide-containing? Genetic manipulation? Sustainable?
  
• How was the animal slaughtered?
  

Leather production:

• Types and quantities of chemicals with complete traceability of the production chains (tannins, dyes, binders, pigments, oils and much more).
• For vegetable tanning: Sustainable? Renewable resources? Transport routes? Often bio leather is advertised with "vegetable tanned". This does not mean that vegetable tanning itself was biologically carried out (it can be worked with great environmental damage) and it does not say that the leather could not be contaminated with chromium or with other pollutant chemicals.
• Minimum wages, social standards etc. in the tannery.
• Handling of production waste including re-use.
• Treatment of polluted sewage.

Leather processing:

• Resource conservation, sustainability
• Work safety
• Social standards and remuneration

The sum of the factors to consider is very long and whether any leather deserves the title of "bio-leather" or not - should only be decided by the customer. The term "bio leather" is not protected and the certificates established by the industry do not always consider all points. The perfect organic leather will also never be able to mass produced. But there are leather producing companies that pay more attention to the environment than others.

Additional information

• Eco leather
• Vegan leather
• Leather quality
• Vegetable-tanned leather
• Chrome tanned
• Chrome-free leather - FOC = Free of Chrome
• PeTA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
• Ecological leather care - Eco leather care

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