Wet blue

Wet Blue refers to moist chrome-tanned leather. In this phase, the leather is tanned, but neither dried, dyed nor finished. The bluish colouring is produced by the chrome tanning agent (Chromium (III) oxide), which is blue and is contained in the leather after tanning.

Wet Blue must be stored at a moisture content of around 60%. It can then be kept for up to 6 months and is traded in this condition worldwide. If wet blue becomes too dry, it can become stained or have negative properties in the subsequent work steps, which reduces the processing options of the wet blue.

Nowadays leather is dyed through in multiple colours but the dyes have no opacity. In the case of bright leathers, the reverse of the finished leather retains the blueish colour of the chrome tanning agents. During retanning, the leather is bleached so that light colours can be achieved with better dying.

Wet-Blue - The chrome tanning agent (Chromium (III) oxide) colours the leather slightly bluish. Dried wet blue = crust leather.

Wet Blue are sold worldwide by size or by weight (taking into account the moisture contained). The quality classification also influences the pricing.