There are three different processes used in leather tanning worldwide:
a) Chrome tanning
b) Synthetic tanning
c) Vegetable tanning
The most widespread method with approx. 85-90% is chrome tanning. This tanning method was first used industrially around 1900 and replaced the vegetable tanning method which was widespread until then.
Chrome belongs to the metals group and is found in the ground just like iron or other metals. The human body needs chromium III in small traces, which we absorb through yeast, potatoes, cheese, bread or fruit, for example. For leather tanning, exactly this chromium III is used to make animal skins durable. It is neither poisonous nor dangerous. It is neither poisonous nor dangerous. However, in the media it is often equated with carcinogenic chromium VI, which is technically incorrect. Chromium VI can not tan leather and is prohibited in Germany and the EU.
Chromium VI does not occur in terracare® leathers, because our tanners know how to prevent the formation of chromium VI. This knowledge has existed in our company for decades. In addition to the lack of awareness and know-how in various parts of the world, prevention is often also a question of cost. Unfortunately, chromium VI is not prohibited everywhere in the world. One more reason to pay attention to the origin when buying leather.
Animals have all along been kept by humans as livestock. For us, keeping farm animals is justifiable as long as the respectful treatment of living creatures is guaranteed and at a minimum is in compliance with German laws. The aim must be to keep animals in a manner appropriate to their species. Their slaughter must only be carried out under strict guidelines and in compliance with all legal regulations.
Under this condition we accept slaughter for the production of meat. Out of respect for the slaughtered animal, everything should be utilized after slaughter, just as it has been done since time immemorial.
One of the by-products after the meat is the skin, which serves as raw material for the tanner. As a principle we refuse slaughter without stupefaction and other forms of slaughter, that are unfortunately still very widespread throughout the world.
For some years now, various products have been offered on the market which, although they bear the term “leather” in their name, have nothing in common with leather in technical terms, such as apple leather.
Leather, by definition, is an animal hide that has been made durable by tanning. Leather substitute products are not based on this origin. The term vegan leather therefore tends to confuse the consumer, but is unfortunately still marketed under this name.
Most leather substitutes are a combination of small amounts of plant fibres (apple, pineapple) and binders, which are applied to a carrier substrate or are combined with other fibres (cotton). The surface finish is usually implemented with polyurethane (plastic). Due to the technical possibilities, the option of using alternative materials to leather, e.g. in shoe manufacturing, has existed for a very long time. Due to the technical possibilities, the option of using alternative materials to leather, e.g. in shoe manufacturing, has existed for a very long time.
Leather substitutes are not ecologically better. In contrast to leather, only very small proportions of leather substitutes are based on renewable, natural raw materials. The durability of these -almost always mainly crude oil-based- leather substitutes is lower compared to genuine leather. The positive wearing properties, the value, the aesthetics and the ecological meaningfulness of leather is still inimitable.