Written by Stefan Christie, published 30/11/18 16:16
Where does Recycled Leather come from?
The raw material used to produce the recycled leather comes from the waste that is produced at the tannery so is from all the off-cuts and defective leather pieces. To ensure that this product is Eco, only the waste from vegetal tanning processes are used. If you are wondering what the difference is, chrome tanning uses a solution of chemicals, acids and salts (including chromium sulphate) to dye the hide whereas vegetable tanning uses natural ingredients such as the bark of chestnut trees to tan the leather.
How is Recycled Leather produced?
First of all the discards of leather undergo a drying process, then they are ground and turned into fine granules. These granules are kneaded, adding a precise percentage of water so that a pulp is formed. The obtained dough dries and then is ground once again. After this second grinding process another kneading follows. Now the dough is stretched and dried at the same time and transformed into a continuous thin tape which has similar properties to traditional leather.
This tape is pressed and compacted and then put into an oven for the last drying at 40° circa for 8/16 hours.
The recycled leather tape is cut into sheets of 100 x 150 cm. These raw sheets are produced in several colors including beige, dark grey and mottled brown. They can be used as they are or they can be finished and colored. The light colors are made with the beige raw sheets while the dark colors are made using the dark grey raw sheets.
What can you use Recycled Leather for?
Badges
Wrist Bands
Keychains
