Ecological leather, also known as synthetic leather or leatherette, has a texture similar to that obtained from a cow or other animal. It is a product whose raw material is not obtained by traditional procedures, as it has been done for thousands of years.
Elaboration process
Eco-leather is made from a plasticizer material that is fed into a mixing machine. Then an ultraviolet light stabilizer is added to make the material resistant to the sun's rays. The next step is to incorporate a flame retardant solution so that it can resist fire. A machine mixes these substances and, in parallel, powdered vinyl is added until a consistent mix is achieved.
On the other hand, in a different mixer, several dyes are put together to obtain the desired tones. The contents of the two mixing bowls are combined and a large roll of paper with a leather-like texture is poured over the substance that has been formed so that a mechanical arm spreads the mixture onto the paper.
Once the paper is coated with the vinyl, it is placed in an oven to harden its texture. Subsequently, the paper undergoes a thickening process to give the fabric shape, consistency and texture.
Through this procedure, the synthetic leather is ready to make a specific design (of a jacket, a bag or a pair of shoes). The type of fabric is very resistant and at first glance it looks like a traditional piece of leather.
The eco-leather label is questionable
The manufacturing process explained above shows that it is not an ecological or natural leather, but that this label is used with some ambiguity. On the one hand, it is an ecological product because the life of the animals is respected. However, its ecological value is relative, since the manufacturing process and the substances used are typical of the conventional textile industry.
It must be taken into account, on the other hand, that ecological leather or leatherette is a type of plastic and this material is not exactly a good example of ecological material. In this way, some claim that the name of ecological leather is inappropriate and that it is a purely commercial strategy.
Differences between leather of animal origin and "ecological"
The main difference is the higher price on traditional leather. On the other hand, the genuine has a softer texture. Another differentiating element is the smell, since one leather smells like leather and the other like plastic.
For some people, buying a synthetic or authentic garment is not a question of price or texture, but rather a choice related to respect for animals.
Photos: Fotolia - artmans / afitz
