Gamechanger for synthetic leather

Globally, more than four billion square metres of PU (polyurethane) synthetic leather are manufactured each year, according to the China Synthetic Leather Association, with 90% of it manufactured in China and nonwovens the primary coating substrate. 

PU leather has, however, been one of the largest sources of environmental and health hazards amongst all types of coated fabrics and sustainability goals will be hard to achieve if the industry continues to use the mainstream solvent-based processes to produce it. Worker exposure to solvents needs to be addressed and pollution risks need to be minimised.