Vegan Leather: What It Is, Why It Matters, How It’s Made, and Who It’s For
Date: 18-03-25
Written By: V S Meena
Vegan Leather: What It Is, Why It Matters, How It’s Made, and Who It’s For
Donald Watson: Vegan Founder
Vegan Leather: What It Is, Why It Matters, How It’s Made, and Who It’s For
Introduction
Have you ever tried soy milk instead of dairy? Or tasted vegan mock meat that looks and feels like real animal meat? What about your skincare? You may have come across brands like Plum Goodness. They are cruelty-free and free from animal ingredients. Vegan products are becoming popular in many industries, from food to fashion to personal care. One area where innovation is making a big impact is vegan leather.
But First, What Does ‘Vegan’ in Vegan Leather Really Mean?
Veganism is a lifestyle that avoids using animals for food, fashion, or any purpose. The term “vegan” was first used in 1944 by Donald Watson and other vegetarians who avoided dairy. They started the Vegan Society in the UK to promote living without harming animals. The word “vegan” comes from the first three and last two letters of “vegetarian.” Watson said it means “the beginning and end of vegetarianism.” With this idea in mind, vegan leather was created for people who want leather-like materials without using animals 2.
What exactly is vegan leather, how is it made, and is it really a better choice than traditional leather? Let’s find out.
What Is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather looks and feels like real leather. But it is made without animal skin, animal products, or animal testing. It is a cruelty-free option from synthetic or plant-based sources. Instead of animal hides, it uses plastics like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It can also come from pineapple leaves, eucalyptus pulp, or mushrooms 1.
The goal is to offer the style and strength of leather without using animals. Even the glues and dyes avoid animal ingredients and are not tested on animals. People often call it “faux leather” or “artificial leather.” Its look and feel depend on the materials used 3.
Why Vegan Leather Matters?
a) Ethical Considerations
Traditional leather is directly linked to animal slaughter. More than 1 billion animals are killed every year for the leather trade worldwide. These include cows and exotic animals like alligators. Animals raised for leather often endure cruel conditions and painful deaths for their skins. Vegan leather offers a kind and compassionate alternative. It does not require harming animals. By choosing vegan leather, brands and consumers can avoid cruelty and support humane practices 4.
b) Environmental Impact
Leather production uses a lot of land, water, and energy. It also causes deforestation. About 70% of Amazon deforestation is due to cattle ranching 5.
Turning hides into leather uses harmful chemicals like chromium and formaldehyde. These pollute water and soil. Leather also does not break down easily and can sit in landfills for decades 6.
Vegan leather has a smaller environmental footprint. Making leather from cowhide causes about three times more harm to the environment than making it from PU-based vegan leather 7.
Vegan leather also uses fewer resources and creates less pollution. Choosing it helps reduce climate change and protects nature.
c) Economic Contributions
The vegan leather industry supports ethical and environmental goals. It also boosts economic growth by encouraging innovation and meeting rising global demand.
Employment Opportunities: The global vegan leather market was worth $80 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow to $219 billion by 2035. This growth will create new business opportunities and boost economic growth in sector 8.
Health and Safety: Workers in the traditional leather industry face harmful chemicals. Many suffer from serious health issues. A study from Bangladesh found high rates of diarrhea(71.7%), high blood pressure (52.2%), asthma (49.9%), and other respiratory and skin diseases 9.
In contrast, vegan leather factories offer safer working conditions. Workers face fewer risks from toxic chemical exposure.
Skill Development: Moving to vegan leather encourages innovation and the growth of new skills. Workers learn about eco-friendly materials and sustainable methods. This builds a culture of learning and improvement.
How Vegan Leather Is Made?
a) Synthetic-Based Vegan Leather
Most vegan leather is plastic-based. PU and PVC are used by coating fabric with these plastics. This creates leather-like material from synthetic sources. While PU and PVC avoid animal use, they come from fossil fuels. They do not break down easily, causing plastic waste over time.
b) Plant-Based Vegan Leather
Innovations in materials science have led to vegan leather made from plants and agricultural waste. These options are more eco-friendly. They turn natural fibers into strong, leather-like material. Vegan leather can come from cork, bark, or mushrooms. The method varies by material but usually blends plant fibers with eco-friendly glue.
Examples include:
- Pineapple leaf leather
- Cactus leather
- Mushroom mycelium leather
- Apple or fruit waste leather
- Eucalyptus pulp leather
- Cork leather
These reduce water use, carbon emissions, and chemical waste. They are a more sustainable choice than real leather 10.
Conclusion
Vegan leather made from plants is proving to be just as durable—if not more so—than traditional animal leather. Thanks to advancements in material science, these plant-based options are designed for superior resilience, flexibility, and longevity. Manufacturers also have greater control over how vegan leather is made and treated. This helps them produce high-performance materials that last and stand the test of time11.
Choosing plant-based leather is not just ethical. It helps the planet and future generations. It is more than a trend. It is a real step toward a kind and green future
Sources:
1) https://www.velivery.com/en/vegan-personality-en/donald-watson-a-life-dedicated-to-veganism.html
2) https://www.earthsave.ca/blog/a-brief-history-of-veganism/
3) https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-to-know-about-vegan-leather