What sustainable, biodegradable and eco-friendly actually mean in leather — and the biopolymer chemistry we build against those definitions.
Definition of Sustainability
Fulfilling the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Biodegradation — organic materials or substances decomposed by micro-organisms into simpler components such as carbon dioxide, water, and ammonia.
Any leather can be composted, but the speed of degradation and environmental impact depends on the tanning chemistry used.
Leather which is tanned without the use of harmful chemicals so as to minimise the environmental impact.
Leathers tanned without the use of chromium, heavy metals, formaldehyde, short-chain chlorinated paraffin, VOC or alkyl phenol ethoxylates.
Not determined only by the chemicals used, but also by the environmental impact that occurs in the manufacturing process.
All types of leather depend on the resources used, the process followed, the environmental impact and the durability of the product.
Sustainable leather
Derived from living organisms, such as plants and microbes.
3 classes · 26 named biopolymers
Natural
Polysaccharide
Proteins
Synthetic
Biotechnology
Conventional synthesis from bio-derived monomers
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Petrochemicals
Conventional synthesis from synthetic monomers
Polycaprolactones (PCL), Aromatic co-polyesters, Aliphatic co-polyesters, Other homo-polyesters
Microbial
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)
| Polymer | Biopolymer | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Polymers are large molecules that have the same structural units repeating over and over. | Biopolymers are polymer materials that form in living organisms. |
| Degradation | Mostly non degradable. | Degradable. |
| Occurrence | Some are naturally occurring materials while others are man made materials. | Occurs inside biological systems. |
| Structure | Can be either simple or complex. | Mostly complex structure. |
| Renewability | Some are renewable while others are non-renewable. | Mostly renewable. |
These polymers are carbon neutral and can always be renewed.
Reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and also decrease carbon emissions.
These polymers are compostable, which means there is less chance of environmental pollution.
These chemical compounds reduce dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Easily biodegradable and can decrease air pollution.
Greatly reduces the harmful effect of plastic use on the environment.
To meet the demand for eco-friendly and renewable biopolymers with high retanning and fatliquoring characteristics.
To replace hazardous and petro-based chemicals without altering the leather quality.
To enhance the recovery and reuse of bio-derived wastes and by-products from the leather and agro-industrial sector.
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.
Types and quantities of chemicals with complete traceability throughout the production chains — tannins, dyes, binders, pigments, oils and much more.
Resource conservation, sustainability.
Handling of production waste, including re-use.
Treatment of polluted sewage.
Work safety.
Social standards and remuneration.
Sustainable leather processing
Our biopolymer retanning and filling agents, derived from protein and acacia.
Biopolymer retanning and filling agents, all derived from renewable protein and acacia sources.
Technical enquiries reach the team that formulates the product. We reply within two working days.