It’s surprising that most leather today isn’t really natural. It’s been around naturally, amazingly, literally forever. But as we’ve found ways to make it more useful over the years, we’ve made it less natural too. With PFAS, aka forever chemicals. This is news to most people. It’s disappointing and it’s dangerous. And here’s the thing, it’s not necessary. PFAS are added to leather in the finishing process. That’s the chemical treatment that protects and enhances leather’s look and feel. Leather finishing has been around for centuries. But in the 1950s, PFAS became standard in the recipe, along with polyurethane (plastic) and other toxic petrochemicals. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) put us at risk across the planet. They threaten health in and around manufacturing environments. When brought home in consumer goods, they enter our water and indoor air supplies. And once disposed of, the chemicals stick around for centuries. Leather is the rare industry that could actually decrease PFAS now. After all, it existed long before these chemicals arrived. And with an output of 20 billion square feet per year, its impact is consequential. So we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to make leather more sustainable. Leather like it once was: a naturally occurring, renewably sourced, biodegradable material that’s a byproduct of food production. Tapping our bioactive peptide library, we created the Activated Silk™ L1 biofinishing system. This chemistry uses zero PFAS, and in the near future, zero PU (polyurethane). It also greatly reduces the carbon output of leather finishing. And the crazy bonus on top of that? L1 leather is more naturally beautiful, durable, breathable and water resistant than petrochemical-laden leather. Removing the last traces of hazardous chemicals from a multi-billion-dollar industry is becoming a reality. The L1 biofinishing system is already at tanneries on three continents, creating products you may have already seen on shelves. You just didn’t know it, because it looks and feels as beautiful as ever – minus all the forever chemicals.
Francis Tsang
2mo
Insightful
Brand Consultant I 25+ years experience I Strategy, B2B, B2B2C Marketing & Design for Brand Leadership I Sustainable Technologies and Material Innovations Expert
1moGlad to see this! Leather has so many fantastic inherent qualities. That's why I am holding on to belts from 40 years ag, when leather was just simply that - leather!