Introduction to PU Leather
What is PU Leather?
PU leather, also referred to as artificial leather or synthetic leather, is a material that was invented in 19th-century Germany as a substitute for genuine leather in footwear, clothing, upholstery, and other places where the leather finish was desired. Still, the cost was too much for an average person to afford. In this article, we will delve deeper into the various aspects of PU leather.
Brief History of PU Leather
Presstoff was one of the first artificial leathers created. It was created in nineteenth-century Germany using specially layered and treated paper pulp. It became popular in Germany during WWII as a substitute for leather, rationed during the war. Presstoff could be used in almost any application that would normally require leather, except for footwear that was repeatedly subjected to flex wear or moisture. Presstoff delaminates and loses cohesion in these conditions.Understanding PU Leather
Composition and Manufacturing Process
Numerous techniques have been devised to produce imitation leathers.The current approach involves the use of an embossed release paper, also known as casting paper, as a form for the surface finish. This method frequently replicates the texture of the top-grain leather. The final texture is retained in negative by this embossed release paper. As an illustration, the release paper is coated with numerous layers of plastic during the manufacturing process. PVC or polyurethane, potentially incorporating a reverse finish, a fabric layer, an adhesive, a color layer, a foam layer, and a surface finish. These layers may be partially cured or moist at the time of integration, contingent upon the specific process. The release paper is removed and potentially repurposed after the artificial leather has been cured.A fermentation method is currently being researched to produce collagen, the primary chemical found in genuine leather.Using biotechnological procedures, materials for vegan leather can be obtained from bacterial strains, yeasts, and fungi.
Composition and Manufacturing Process
Difference Between PU Leather and Genuine Leather
PU (Poly) Synthetic Leather is a synthetic material manufactured with the appearance and texture of genuine leather even though it is not. PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather composed of thermoplastic polymers. 100% PU leather is classified as vegan and is entirely synthetic. However, not all PU leather is 100% vegan, as most contain some leftover Genuine Leather. The reason behind this is that 100% pure PU leather, though it looks like leather, quickly wears over time and cracks, leading to a much shorter lifespan than genuine leather that if taken care of properly, can last for more than a decade or even more. PU leather can also be punctured or torn quite quickly, and it doesn’t gain the luster or the patina like genuine leather.Types of PU Leather
Pure PU Leather
PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer. 100 percent PU leather is totally artificial and is viewed as vegan. PU material can have a more shiny appearance and is for the most part undeniably less thicker than genuine leather.Bi-cast Leather
Bicast leather is a material made with a split leather backing covered with an emblazoned layer of polyurethane or vinyl. Bicast leather was initially made for the attire business for lustrous shoes and was subsequently taken on by the furniture business.Recycled PU Leather
while it is feasible to reuse PU leather, the cycle can be challenging and may not be pragmatic or doable all of the time. Accordingly, it is critical to consider the expected natural effect of utilizing synthetic materials like PU leather and to pick maintainable and eco-accommodating options whenever the situation allows.Advantages of PU Leather
Cost-Effectiveness
PU leather is by and large more affordable than genuine leather. This can make it a more alluring choice for those on a careful spending plan. Notwithstanding, it’s important that genuine leather can endure significantly longer than PU leather, making it a superior long-haul interest at times.Environmental Impact
PU Leather’s impact on the environment is debatable as some people believe that it harms the environment as it is a synthetic material produced using petrochemicals, which are not harmless to the ecosystem. Moreover, PU leather isn’t biodegradable, and that implies that it can require many years to disintegrate in a landfill. While other argue that not only has leather added to the climate crisis through ozone-depleting substance outflows, but, it is likewise intrinsically wasteful to create, requiring huge measures of cleared land. Subsequently, leather creation fuels worldwide biodiversity annihilation.Disadvantages of PU Leather
Durability Concerns
PU leather while being a great alternative to genuine leather is at the end of the day an imitation and it has its limit due to being made out of thermoplastic polymers and it can not function like a real hide that has gone through the processing to make it strong enough to handle various types of wear and tear. PU leather no matter the quality tends to crack and disintegrate over time it is also quite vulnerable to punctures and tears.Sensitivity to Heat and Sunlight
PU leather is highly sensitive to heat and sunlight and long-term exposure to it can cause it to shrink, fade, or even lose its texture if you are considering between genuine leather or PU Leather do note where are going to use it.PU Leather in Fashion
Use in Clothing
PU leather while being weaker than genuine leather is also considerably cheaper and people without enough experience with both of them are unable to tell the difference between them at a glance which led it to thrive in the clothing industry as a lot of people that are on a budget tend to use PU leather and still look good. As the situation is now PU leather is used in all of the clothing industry from jackets to shirts and skirts to pants.Use in Accessories (Bags, Shoes, Belts)
As genuine leather is limited in supply which led to its high cost PU leather became a great alternative for its use in the accessories industry if you look at twenty common accessories brands at least seventeen are using synthetic leather, overall synthetic leather is being used in all types of accessories.PU Leather in Furniture
PU Leather Sofas and Chairs
As already mentioned PU leather is a great alternative to genuine leather and is being used as a substitute for it everywhere so without a doubt the furniture industry is no different PU leather is being used as a substitute for genuine leather to dress the sofas and chairs of all types to give them the great feel while keeping the cost to minimal so an average person can easily afford them.Maintenance Tips for PU Leather Furniture
PU leather is susceptible if not taken care of properly and can crack quite easily so to avoid that here are some tips to maintain PU leather for a longer duration:- Use a lint-free dry or slightly damp cloth to clean the surface regularly
- Apply COLORLOCK PU every 3-6 months gently with a soft cloth.
- Try to keep its exposure to sunlight and heat to a minimum by not placing it directly in front of the window or any other heat source.
