Chrome-free leathers are usually made for a specialized performance requirement or often specified for automotive use. The effluent produced also requires more treatment before it can be discharged. However, it has the benefit of using natural, sustainable and renewable raw materials.Īll other tanning methods, are known by different labels but are usually grouped and referred to as ‘Chrome-Free’. For example, vegetable tanning uses a few times the amount of tannins than for chrome-tanned leathers. The name and tanning materials used makes it easy to think that vegetable tanned leather is more ‘eco-friendly’ but the balance across the whole process needs to be looked at to make a more meaningful comparison with other methods. It usually takes longer to tan leather using this method, but the result is a leather with distinctive aesthetic and handle that ages beautifully. Vegetable tanning is the oldest tanning method, it uses extracts from wood, and nuts of trees and shrubs with responsible suppliers ensuring these are from a sustainable source. Best practices of chrome tanning use half the chemicals required by other methods and produces effluent content below legal requirements. Chrome tanning produces consistent leathers that can be used or worn year after year without any loss of properties. The process of chrome tanning is constantly being upgraded by better uptake, less usage, comprehensive recycling, reduced water consumption and careful management of waste. Chromium VI is not used in the manufacture of leather and there are clear and effective industry guidelines set out by the Leather Working Group to prevent its formation in leather post-tanning.
Misinformation about the leather industry sometimes suggests that hexavalent chrome, or chromium VI (Cr VI) is used and that it is carcinogenic. The process uses trivalent chromium (Cr III), which is a safe substance that also represents an essential part of our diet with many people taking daily supplements that contain it. There are three key tanning methods used to make leather:Ībout 75% of leather made today is chrome tanned. What is the difference between chrome tanning and vegetable tanning? Which type of tanning is best? Find out more with this guide to different methods for tanning hides and skins
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