Leather is made through a lengthy, complicated process that hasn’t changed much over the centuries - including what’s used to tan the leather. Tanning is the step where a chemical reaction transforms an animal hide into leather. This reaction changes the protein structure of the rawhide into a stable material that won’t rot and is suitable for various applications. There are several options for tanning leather, but two are most common:
Mineral (Chromium Sulfate)
When chromium sulfate is used, the chromium penetrates the collagen fibers in the hide. Raw, chrome-tanned hides appear blue, so leather in this state is called “wet blue.” The process is faster than vegetable tanning and produces more flexible, stretchable leather.
Vegetable (Plant Tannins)
When naturally occurring tannins from plant leaves and bark are used, the tannins bind to the collagen proteins in the hide, making them less water-soluble and more resistant to bacteria. The process of stretching and applying the tannins over several days makes the hide more flexible than before, though not as flexible as mineral-tanned leather. After tanning, the leather undergoes various finishing processes depending on the desired outcome.
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