What Is Vegan Leather made of

 Vegan leather is also known as synthetic leather or PU Leather. While real leather is made from animal hide, vegan leather is made from either plastic-based materials or nature-based materials. Although vegan leather, looks similar to genuine leather, it is so much different than the latter. In the succeeding sections, we will be discussing why people buy vegan leather, what materials are used to make them, and how to take care of vegan leather.

What Is Vegan Leather ?  

Why people buy Vegan leather?

 Most people would prefer real leather over vegan leather. Nevertheless, some people still use vegan leather for the following reasons:

 Lifestyle Choice. For some people, it’s part of their lifestyle choice due to ethical or animal welfare reasons.

Also, some people think it is better to live a chemical-free lifestyle as a vegan.

 Impact on the Environment. Some people are concerned with the environmental impacts associated with the animal slaughtering and harmful tanning processes. However, it should be noted that most production methods related to Vegan leather, especially those using plastics, actually are MORE harmful to the environment than using normal leather production methods combined with vegetable tanning.

 A lot of people switch to vegan leather for the reasons stated above. Since vegan leather is NOT made from animal hide, plastic-based or nature-based materials are used as alternatives.

What are the examples of these materials? 

What are the materials used for Vegan Leather?

 The materials used for vegan leather could either be plastic-based or nature-based. The most common plastic-based materials used include Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC) and Polyurethane (PU). On the other hand, nature-based materials include cork, paper, waxed cotton, apple,

Pinnate, Mushroom, grapes, coffee, or agave .Plastic Based Materials ,Polyurethane(PU)

 Polyurethane is a polymer that can be made upon the order of a designer. It can sparkle, have a nice glossy look, or be saturated in all colors and shades. PU leather consists of a split leather backing, topped with Polyurethane coating that gives the fabric a finish and flexibility similar to natural leather.The following are some of the differences of a PU leather from real leather: PU has fewer layers under its coating.

 The former is more pliable and flexible.PU leather is more breathable due to more pores on its layer. Poly Vinyl Chloride(PVC)

 PVC leather is made from fabric leather backing, topped with a foam layer, skin layer, and a plastic-based surface coating.

 PVC has more layers under its coating.It is tougher and more durable.

PU leather is less breathable, because of its foam leather

 Nature-Based Materials

 Nature-based materials are obtained from fruits, plant materials, food waste, cork, waxed or glazed cotton, and paper, and a lot more!