What to Think About Vegan Leather
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) loudly proclaims that vegan leather is pretty much the new black. It’s cool, it’s ethical, and it goes with everything.
Vegan leather, which is not real leather at all, has been around since the 19th century when enterprising Germans made a version of artificial leather out of paper pulp.
Typical names for the various types of artificial leather are:
- Vegan leather
- Pleather
- Leatherette
- Faux leather
- PU leather
What is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is created from non-animal sources. Nowadays, vegan leathers are mostly sourced from textile-polymer composite microfibers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, although a few are made from kelp or cork. Some varieties are also produced from glazed cotton.
While on the surface it seems like vegan leather is a good alternative to using animal hide leathers, the truth is much more complicated.
Proponents of vegan leathers claim using non-animal sources to create leather-like products is the perfect answer to an ethical question posed by animal slaughter.
However, how ethical are vegan leathers and how durable is vegan leather, really? You decide.
What is Vegan Leather Used For?
Before we delve into how vegan leathers are produced, let’s take a look at the many ways they are used in place of authentic leather. Vegan leather can be substituted for just about anything traditional leather is used for, excepting hard-use items like saddles.
Fashion designers like Stella McCartney and Hugo Boss are creating lines of clothing and accessories that use vegan leathers exclusively. There are lines of footwear, handbags, backpacks, and many other items that utilize this man-made material, and the trend toward increased use of vegan leathers is continuing.
Because it is man-made, vegan leather can be created in any color — or shade — of the rainbow and in a variety of textures, from faux crocodile or ostrich to shiny patent or even glitter-infused styles.
This level of versatility makes vegan leathers very useful in the fashion industry, where trends are constantly on the move. Designers are limited only by their imaginations, as nearly any color or texture of vegan leather can be manufactured according to customer preference.
However, it’s important to note that vegan leather is not as timeless as traditional leather, having more of a trendy vibe. It also does not wear as well, deteriorating in shape and substance at a much quicker rate than traditional leather.
Because it is mass-produced, vegan leathers don’t have the timeless, artisanal quality that attracts buyers to traditional leather. While some vegan leathers work hard to maintain a conventional leather look or feel, others don’t try to hide their origins, looking much like the colored plastic they are.
How Vegan Leather is Made
Most vegan leather is made from plastic or petroleum-based synthetics, although very rarely they are manufactured from natural sources such as cotton, cork, or tree bark.
To make a polyurethane leather, a polyurethane coating is applied to a base fabric. A color coat is added once this process is completed, and then a texture is pressed into the top surface to finish it off.
The manufacture and disposal of at least one of these components, PVC-based synthetics, produces the toxic and volatile compound dioxin. Dioxin, which can be found in the anatomy of most humans and animals nowadays, has been found to increase cancer risk.
Because vegan leathers don’t fully biodegrade like natural products, they can produce microparticles that enter the food and water chain by being ingested by sea creatures and animals.
As it begins to break down, vegan leather pours phthalates into the environment, which are known carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and can cause breathing problems and birth defects.
Choosing Vegan Leather Wisely
If you decide to take a chance on a vegan leather product, try to select items that have been created from natural resources, such as bark, cork, or even pineapples.
You read that right — pineapples can be made into leather.
A company called Piñatex has discovered a way to take the waste products from pineapple farming and create a sustainable, durable alternative to traditional leather.
The owner of the company, Carmen Hijosa, estimates that 50 percent of the world’s leather demand could be met using pineapple farming waste from the top 10 pineapple-producing countries.
The only current problem with this forward-thinking product is its considerable cost. A jacket made from the revolutionary fabric was priced at a whopping $860 in 2018. Hopefully, as more people become aware of this source, that cost will decrease, making the product available to a wider audience.
While traditional leather is infinitely more durable, beautiful, and long-lived than its vegan counterparts, there may be a place for ethically-sourced vegan leather in the manufacture of limited-use or trendy items in the coming years.
FAQs About Vegan Leather
- +What is vegan leather made of?
- Vegan leather is made from non-animal sources, primarily synthetic materials like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plastic-based alternatives are coated onto fabrics to mimic the texture and appearance of traditional leather. While common, these synthetics can release harmful chemicals like dioxins and phthalates over time. More sustainable options include natural sources such as cork, glazed cotton, kelp, or even agricultural waste like pineapple leaves, as used in Piñatex. Though marketed as ethical, not all vegan leathers are environmentally friendly, making it crucial to understand the materials used in each product.
- +Is vegan leather better than real leather?
- Vegan leather is often considered more ethical than real leather because it avoids animal products. However, it’s generally less durable and environmentally problematic if made from plastics like PU or PVC. Traditional leather outlasts vegan alternatives and has a timeless appeal, while vegan leather trends toward being cheaper, more customizable, and suited for short-term or fashion-forward use.
- +Does vegan leather last long?
- Vegan leather does not last as long as traditional leather. While it may look similar, it tends to deteriorate more quickly, losing shape and texture with use. Most types, especially plastic-based versions, are prone to cracking and peeling over time, making vegan leather more suitable for occasional or fashion-focused wear rather than daily use.
- +Is vegan leather environmentally friendly?
- Not all vegan leathers are environmentally friendly. Most are made from petroleum-based materials like PVC or PU, which do not biodegrade and can release toxins into the environment. More sustainable vegan leathers use natural materials such as cork, bark, or pineapple fibers. Choosing plant-based options reduces environmental harm but often comes at a higher price.
- +Is vegan leather waterproof?
- Most vegan leather is water-resistant but not fully waterproof. Plastic-based varieties like PU and PVC can repel water initially, but exposure over time may lead to damage, especially around seams or edges. Plant-based vegan leathers vary in water tolerance and often require additional treatment to resist moisture effectively.
- +Does vegan leather patina?
- Vegan leather does not develop a patina like traditional leather. Patina is the natural sheen and aging effect that occurs over time as real leather absorbs oils and undergoes wear. Since most vegan leathers are synthetic or plant-based composites, they lack the organic structure needed to form a patina, often aging by cracking or peeling instead of improving in appearance.
- +Does vegan leather breathe?
- Most vegan leathers do not breathe as well as traditional leather. Traditional leather is naturally porous, allowing airflow and moisture regulation. In contrast, synthetic vegan leathers made from PU or PVC are essentially plastic coatings on fabric, which trap heat and moisture. Some plant-based vegan leathers offer better breathability but still fall short of real leather's natural ventilation.
1 Response
Tom Matsaev
I’d love a vegan leather case!
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