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Which is More Sustainable: Vegan Leather or Genuine Leather?

August 13, 2019 By Nadeem Muaddi 5 Comments

These days, it seems “vegan leather” is the new, hip word being thrown around the industry.

But what does it mean? And How does it stand up to genuine leather? To find out, we spoke with Aaron Laithwaite, CEO and founder of Hydes Leather.

What is vegan leather?

Vegan leather is a new, fancy term for faux leather. “It’s a synthetic material that is meant to imitate the look and feel of genuine leather, only without using animal hides,” explains Laithwaite.

Because vegan leather is made in a laboratory, some people think it’s a more Earth-friendly and humane choice. But Laithwaite says that’s not entirely true.

Most vegan leather is actually polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is made from petroleum. To manufacture it, companies use loads of smelly toxins and hazardous dioxins, which cause pollution and have even been linked to cancer. And while PVC can be recycled, it’s not biodegradable. In fact, vinyl can last up to 140 years.

Fruitleather Rotterdam
Fruitleather Rotterdam is a new fruit-based textile that looks and feels like real leather.

Recently, bio-companies like Vegea, Piñatex and Fruitleather Rotterdam have developed vegan leather options. While these materials are manufactured using natural ingredients and environmentally safe processes, they haven’t been around long enough to test their durability in real-world environments.

“People invest a lot of time and money into their car interiors. It wouldn’t be fair to upholster them in materials we’re not sure will stand the test of time,” said Laithwaite.

How does it compare to genuine leather?

While vegan leather is created in labs, genuine leather is grown on the backs of cows.

Because genuine leather is a natural product, it’s biodegradable, says Laithwaite. Of course, some tanneries use harsh chemicals and dyes that are bad for the environment and hazardous for people’s health, but strict regulations in developed countries mitigated these risks long ago.

The Hog Ring - Which is More Sustainable- Vegan Leather or Genuine Leather
Hydes Leather sources genuine leather from European tanneries.

As for the cows, it’s important to note that they aren’t killed solely for their hides. Laithwaite explains that genuine leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. In other words, they were going to slaughter anyway. At least this way, no part of them goes to waste because 100% of the animal is utilized.

Regarding genuine leather’s durability, there’s no beating it. “Leather has been used for thousands of years precisely because it performs great in all environments,” said Laithwaite.

“Automotive leather, in particular, is treated to withstand hot and cold temperatures, as well as the constant wear of people entering and exiting cabins.”

So, which is more sustainable?

Sustainable products protect the environment and public health over their whole life cycle, from extraction to disposal.

Based on this definition, PVC-based vegan leather doesn’t cut it.

Some bio-materials do, but there’s no evidence they’ll actually last in customers’ cars.

The Hog Ring - Hydes Leather Focused on Doing it Right 1
1959 Ferrari California Spyder trimmed by Eurointeriors using Hydes’ vecchio leather.

For auto upholstery shops, the choice is clear: If your customer isn’t principally opposed to using animal products, genuine leather is the best and most sustainable option.

“The fact it looks, feels and smells great is an added bonus,” said Laithwaite.

Ordering genuine leather from Hydes Leather

Hydes Leather is a leading supplier of premium OEM leather hides, servicing auto upholstery shops and restorers.

The Hog Ring - Hydes Explains Auto vs Furniture Leather

They source their hides from the same European tanneries that provide leather to such luxury automakers as Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche. “The European Union imposes the strictest environmental and animal welfare regulations on these tanneries,” said Laithwaite. “It doesn’t get more sustainable than that.”

Unlike other suppliers, Hydes Leather only sells automotive-grade leather. That means everything they sell has been treated to withstand the harshest treatment and environments.

Of course, that’s not all. Hydes Leather also offers premium services — including custom perforation, embroidery, weaving and skiving.  They’re also the only authorized distributor of Alcantara‘s automotive collection in North America.

To learn more about Hydes Leather, visit their website at HydesLeather.com. You can also follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Filed Under: Archive, Green Upholstery, Site Sponsors Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Faux Leather, Genuine Leather, Hydes Leather, Vegan Leather

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steve Ingram says

    August 13, 2019 at 11:50 pm

    Leather is a byproduct of the beef industry. We dont kill cattle to get the leather. If the hides are not processed they will be thrown in the landfill. Tanneries are being more responsible about their carbon footprint and finding new ways to reduce solid waste and waste water everyday.. If you dont eat meat or cant stand the fact that leather comes from an animal by all means use the vinyl option.

    Reply
  2. jim barnes says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:30 pm

    great story
    perfectly simple for my clients…….who from time to time amaze me !

    My favorite story about leather is a high class restaurant owner in NYC insisting that his benches are real leather at 25 feet long with no seams.

    My question was…”what country has 25 foot beef cows?

    Their was no reply…………

    now he realizes the past firm was………..not exactly truthful.

    In this application VINAL was best and the high prices seats were better in LEATHER

    Reply
  3. jim barnes says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:32 pm

    vinyl

    Reply
  4. Jonny says

    January 2, 2020 at 2:12 am

    Tanneries are some of the most polluting industries around. I have had vegan leather – not vinyl – in several cars, starting in 2005. They have ALL stood the test of time. They’re not only durable but much easier to clean than leather. We really do need to stop killing the planet. Some industries will suffer. But these vegan leather alternatives not only offer a better way, they offer new industries and new economic opportunities.

    Reply
    • Riaan Nel says

      May 30, 2022 at 10:20 am

      There is no such thing as “vegan leather’. In 2005 the only other option was vinyl, as in PVC petroleum based material. The fact that the automotive leather industry is highly regulated,and virtually non-polluting does not seem to bother some people. You didn’t not have anything vegan about the upholstery in your car in 2005. You have a product that was made up 95% petrochemical derived products polluting your backside.

      Reply

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