Myth vs Truth.
Buyer, be aware
Historically “Leather” applied to materials from Animal Origin, where collagen, the largest component of Leather, is left intact. But sadly the term continues to be abused by Retailers, using “Faux Leather”, “Synthetic Leather”, “PU Leather” or “Vegan Leather”, or any other terms of such sort which is misleading and misrepresents what the word truly stands for.
Leaving that aside, if one were to look at Leather and its alternates, and truly compare the wide spread myths about Leather, it would appear to have been grossly exaggerated. Some of the them are given below:
Myth 1: Animals are killed for their skins.
Fact: Leather is a by product of the meat industry. 95% of all the leathers are made from 4 major sources: Cow, Goat, Sheep & Buffalo. None are killed for their skins and all are slaughtered only for meat. Value of Skin is significantly lesser than Meat, and so it does not make Economic Sense to kill an animal for their Skin.
Myth 2: Leather manufacturing is Toxic.
Fact: Any processing industry that uses high quantities of water and chemical could be toxic, unless strict control measures in processing and water treatment are followed. It is immature to label an industry as being toxic. Leather manufacture has witnessed significant strides in environmental management rivalling many other industries, and is a sustainable manufacturing practise if done right.
Myth 3: Leather is not Bio Degradable.
Fact: Constituent of a Leather is 70% Animal Skin, 20% Chemicals and 10% Moisture. In comparison, the nearest alternate being Synthetic Leather, is a 100% Chemical based product, derived from the Petrochemical Industry. Hence obviously Leather is more Bio Degradable than Synthetic Leathers.
Myth 4: Chrome Tanning is Hazardous.
Fact: Leather manufacturers use Chrome, Natural Vegetable Extracts and other Organic Chemicals. Even in the case of Chrome usage, more than 95% of available Chrome in Earth are used in industries outside leather, and only a minor portion ends up in Leather. More detailed and scientific explanations on Chrome can be found at: http://nothing-to-hide.org
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”
— Arthur Conan Doyle
Leather Economy in India.
Leather is an important material that has implications for the economy of any country. It provides numerous jobs and welfare to many people dependant on the industry.
18 Billion USD.
Indian Leather Sector is a nearly 18 Billion Dollar industry. It produces 2.5 Billion Sq. Ft of Leather, accounting for 13% of Global Production. 55% of the Industry Workforce in India is aged less than 35, making it one of the youngest and productive workforces. Indian is the world’s 2nd largest producer of Footwear.
2.5 Million Jobs.
The Industry also provides one of the best opportunities in Job Creation. The industry employs more than 2.5 Million People and is a focus sector in the Indian Government’s Make in India Initiative.