Is PU Leather better than animal skin leather?

PU leather is actually in its real form 100% vegan because it is a basically a blend of different artificial chemicals. 

But the problem is that many people the term pu leather very loosely and often refer to split leather as pu leather. Split leather is uses the leftovers of the conventional leather production and coats it it with polyurethane. This makes it a mix of real and pu leather, but people often call it just pu leather instead of split leather. 

Therefore it is always better to ask or check the label if the product is really entirely made of pu leather or just a the coating. Ethical wise this makes a huge difference for people avoiding animal products and not wanting to contribute to the suffering and death of animals because of the leather production.

Sustainability & Ethics

Sustainability wise pu leather is actually way better than animal leather. The production takes up way less ressources and therefore more eco friendly. Although it is not as sustainable as plant based leather alternatives it is still more sustainable than conventional leather. Especially when it comes to 100% true pu leather. There are still a lot of chemicals and petroleum involved in the making it not the most eco friendly solution. It also does not decompose when thrown away in nature.  Better vegan leather alternatives when it comes to sustainability would be cork, mushroom, grape or pineapple leather. 

When it comes ethics it is obviously way better than animal leather. No animals are harmed during the manufacturing process since it is 100% man made and requires no animals at all for the making. It is therefore also completely vegan. Only when people refer to split leather as pu leather it is not vegan because it still contains some leftover genuine leather.

Our experience

Pu leather is way better compared to animal leather just with regards to the ethical aspect alone. It is also more sustainable that for instance cows leather although still a lot of chemicals are used during the manufacturing process of leather.

Brand new it smells quite synthetic and unpleasant although the unpleasant scent goes away quite quickly. Good quality PU leather's smell gone quickly even when it is new. 

It is quite resistant against water from the outside as well.

This pu leather is need to make more sustainable and make more eniviormental friendly what factories already are working on it. 

Clemens Kohlbacher [18 December, 2022]