Leather production can be divided into different tanning methods, with the two most prominent types being vegetable tanned leather and chrome tanned leather.
Chrome-tanned leather:
Chrome-tanned leather is the most widely used type of leather in the modern leather industry. This method uses chemicals, primarily chromium sulfates, to treat the leather quickly and effectively. The advantages of chrome tanning include faster production times. However, this method has a significant environmental impact, as the chemicals used can be harmful to both the environment and the workers if they are not handled correctly. In addition, chrome-tanned leather can contain traces of heavy metals, which makes it less attractive to environmentally and health-conscious consumers.
Vegetable Tanned Leather:
Vegetable tanned leather is genuine leather that is tanned using natural tannins from plants, such as bark, leaves and fruits. This process is far more environmentally friendly as it does not involve synthetic chemicals. The leather produced by this method has a rich and natural color and develops a beautiful patina over time, making it ideal for those who value authentic and natural materials. Vegetable tanning takes longer compared to chrome tanning - as much as 28 times longer in fact - which is reflected in the quality and durability of the product.
Vegan leather, also called fake leather, on the other hand, is often made from synthetic materials such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are plastic-based. The production of vegan leather is often very resource-intensive and has a significant environmental impact. It does not break down in the same way as real leather and can quickly lose its shape and finish, making it far less durable. Instead of developing a beautiful patina like vegetable tanned leather does, vegan leather can begin to peel and look worn after a short time.
In short, where vegetable tanned leather represents a timeless quality and sustainability, vegan leather can often be a less durable and more environmentally damaging solution.
Bjorken ™ Products:
The birch ™ consciously chooses to use vegetable tanned leather in our products, which underlines our commitment to sustainability and ethics. The vegetable-tanned leather used comes from the top layer of cowhide, which has been tanned using plant-based methods. This approach ensures that the products are free of harmful chemicals and at the same time preserves the leather's natural strength and beauty. By choosing products from Bjorken ™ you not only get an authentic leather product, but also help to support a more sustainable and ethical production method.