#1 Is vegan leather durable?

Vegan leather is without any doubt a material to count on and it has both evolved and progressed throughout the years. But the questions brands and manufacturers still ask themselves are, is vegan leathers durable? Can we call it good quality leather? The Brazilian company Ananas Anam, who uses pineapples to create Piñatex is known for its durability and longevity just like grape leather from the Italian innovator Vegea. So, the answer is yes, vegan leathers do last, but just like any other material, they should be handled with care.

#2 Is vegan leather made of plastic?

In some cases vegan leathers are produced from plastics – Yes!

PVC and PU vegan leathers still exist today, although we think they should be phased out asap! As mentioned above, the vegan leathers we are seeing on today’s market are made from pineapple waste, mangos, apples, grapes, coconuts, mushrooms, cork and other plant-based sources. Nevertheless, plastics are still present, as many of these innovative materials have been coated with synthetic substances – even on animal leathers, plastic coatings are used.

#3 Vegan leather - good quality?

Well, it all depends on the manufacturing process and how much effort has been put into the production and choice of raw materials. Although, generally the vegan leathers, and especially the ones made from food waste have reportedly good reputations.

#4 Is vegan leather kind to mother earth?

Vegan leather made from plastic is NOT friendly to our planet as they release microplastics into the waterways yet doesn’t biodegrade. Plant-based leathers on the other hand are much kinder to the planet! Vegan textiles require fewer chemicals than plastic and are less polluting of waterways.

#5 How to take care of vegan leather?

Vegan leather is relatively easy to clean and keep fresh. In many cases, just wiping with a damp cloth is enough. A mild detergent will also do the job if you have gotten more severe stains..

#6 Is vegan leather waterproof?

Yes! vegan leather is in 9/10 cases waterproof or at least water resistant, mainly due to the synthetic coatings which we hope to see less of soon. With all innovations popping up, we believe there should be a better option for coating soon too.

#7 Can vegan leather be mended?

If your vegan garments or accessories crack or rip, do not worry, this does not have to mean it is the end. Repair kits specifically for vegan leather can be of big help, as can leather mending products made for furniture. Tip: Apply coconut oil on your vegan leather products to keep them from cracking – this works like sunscreen for your vegan leather.

#8 Can vegan leather biodegrade?

Well, depending on the kind of vegan leather it might be biodegradable but not in all cases..

PVC, in other words, plastic leather does not biodegrade. But those made from plant-based sources do biodegrade which is great news. As a matter of fact, some apple leathers are 100% biodegradable. Also, cork leather, is perhaps the most eco-friendly leather there is.

Conclusion

Vegan leather is today available in many different options, and different things may be true for different materials. But one thing is certain, as innovation keeps moving forward, vegan leather will, without doubt, carry on improving to become an environmentally friendly product that every brand and manufacturer should give a try.

Source: RENOON

8 Facts About Vegan Leather