Leather manufacturing

Let’s talk about leather manufacturing, the story behind a fine craft, the entire process and interesting facts to know.

Leather manufacturing: Introduction

Leather manufacturing involves transforming raw animal hides or skins into durable and usable leather. The process requires several steps and involves chemical and mechanical treatments. Below is an overview of the leather manufacturing process:

 

Procurement of Raw Materials

• Raw Hides/Skins: Typically obtained from animals like cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs. These are by-products of the meat industry.
• Inspection and Grading: Hides are inspected for defects and sorted based on size, thickness, and quality.

Preservation

• Salting or Freezing: Fresh hides are treated to prevent decomposition. Salting is the most common method.
• Transportation: Preserved hides are transported to tanneries for processing.

Leather manufacturing: Preparation of Hides

• Soaking: Hides are soaked in water to remove dirt, salt, and blood and to rehydrate them.
• Liming: Hides are treated with lime and sodium sulfide to loosen hair and remove epidermis layers.
• Fleshing: Fat and flesh residues are mechanically scraped off.
• Deliming and Bating: Lime is neutralized, and enzymes are used to soften the hide.

Tanning

Tanning stabilizes the protein structure in the hide to prevent decomposition and make it durable.

• Vegetable Tanning: Uses natural tannins from tree bark or plants. Produces stiff and eco-friendly leather.
• Chrome Tanning: Uses chromium salts for fast and flexible leather production. Common for modern applications.
• Other Methods: Includes aldehyde, synthetic, and oil tanning.

Post-Tanning Processes

• Neutralization: Balances the pH of the leather.
• Dyeing: Adds color using various dyes.
• Fatliquoring: Lubricates the leather to ensure softness and flexibility.
• Drying: Removes moisture from the leather.

Finishing

• Surface Treatments: Buffing, embossing, or coating to achieve desired texture and appearance.
• Polishing: Enhances the leather’s luster.
• Quality Checks: Ensures the final product meets specifications.

Types of Leather Products

• Full-Grain Leather: Made from the outermost layer; highly durable and retains natural marks.
• Top-Grain Leather: Sanded and processed for a smoother appearance.
• Split Leather: From the lower layers of the hide, often used for suede.
• Bonded Leather: Made from leftover scraps and fibers bonded with adhesives.

At Pytón we have all kind of leathers for you to choose your best fit.

Leather manufacturing: Applications

Leather is used in various industries, including:

• Fashion: Shoes, jackets, belts, bags.
• Furniture: Upholstery for sofas and chairs.
• Automotive: Car interiors.
• Accessories: Wallets, watch straps, and more.

At Pytón we are specialists in fashion and interior design, you can book an appointment with our team.

Interesting facts

Here are some interesting facts about leather manufacturing that highlight its history, processes, and innovations:

Ancient Craft

Leatherworking is one of the oldest human crafts, dating back more than 7,000 years.

Early civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used leather for clothing, armor, and footwear.

By-Product of the Meat Industry

About 99% of leather comes from hides that are a by-product of the meat industry. This ensures that the material is repurposed rather than wasted.

Vegetable Tanning Is Thousands of Years Old

Vegetable tanning, which uses natural tannins from plants and bark, was the primary method used by ancient tanners and remains a sustainable option today.

Modern Leather Is Water-Resistant

Through innovative finishing techniques, many types of leather are treated to be water-resistant or even waterproof, making them highly durable.

Chrome Tanning Revolutionized the Industry

Invented in the 19th century, chrome tanning made leather production much faster. Today, about 80-90% of global leather is chrome-tanned.

Leather manufacturing: Suede and Nubuck Come from Split Leather

Suede is made from the inner part of hides, giving it a soft and velvety texture.

Nubuck is a type of top-grain leather sanded to achieve a similar softness, but it is more durable than suede.

Leather Is Biodegradable

Unlike synthetic alternatives, natural leather is largely biodegradable, especially if tanned with plant-based methods.

Global Leaders in Leather Production

Countries like Italy, India, Brazil, and China dominate the leather industry. Italy is especially famous for high-quality fashion leather.

 

Leather Working Group (LWG) is a global multi-stakeholder community committed to building a sustainable future with responsible leather. We are a not-for-profit that drives best practices and positive social and environmental change for responsible leather production.

Leather’s Unique Aging

Leather develops a patina over time, which enhances its appearance and adds to its character. This is particularly true for full-grain and vegetable-tanned leather.

Leather manufacturing: Luxury Takes Time

Producing high-quality leather can take up to three months or longer, especially with labor-intensive processes like vegetable tanning.

Leather is Stronger Than Steel (by Weight)

Leather is highly durable and, pound for pound, can be stronger than steel. That’s why it’s used in protective gear and heavy-duty applications.

Leather manufacturing: Color Transformation

Leather is naturally pale or white after tanning. The rich colors we see (like black, brown, or dyed shades) are achieved through specialized dyeing processes.

Leather in Currency

Some ancient civilizations, including the Chinese, used leather as a form of currency due to its durability and value.

Leather Is Still Handmade

Even with technological advancements, much of the leather industry still relies on traditional, manual craftsmanship, especially in luxury goods.