Leather emission

Fogging refers to the emission of substances from leather, Imitation leather or plastic onto glass windows and other surfaces. Fogging is the condensation of substances which, when exposed to higher temperatures, evaporate from the leather and plastic materials used in the interior of the vehicle and remain on the car windows which are cooled from the outside. This condensation affects the visibility through the window.

When investigating fogging behaviour of leather, emission values of various substances are tested under a wide variety of circumstances (VOC emission investigations). A wide variety of chemicals are also used in the tanning process which can subsequently lead to fogging. It is also important to dry the leather sufficiently.

In these tests, a leather is heated to speed up the effect. Triggers for fogging can be excess fats, ammonium salts or softeners.