Leather produced by the tanning of animal skins, generally cattle, is a highly used material due to its versatile use and durability. Leather is manufactured by the method of tanning using a chemical compound called tannin which metamorphoses the chemical composition of rawhide permanently so that it can never retrace back to being rawhide from leather.
The majority of all leather comes from cattle skins, but other animals are also involved in the production according to the requirements. For example, deer skin is used to produce softer variety of leather. Leather is used in manufacturing many products like furniture, apparels, bags, wallets, etc. Due to its fine features like smoothness, sustainability, resistance and comfort, many people opt for leather products. Leather items have become a symbol of sophistication and are thus preferred high above other materials. Leather is even used in binding books to protect it from various weather disturbances like temperature and humidity.
Leather production and manufacturers of leather goods has been going on for centuries. The ancient methods smelled so foul that it was performed in the outskirts of towns and cities because of the obnoxious smell. However, modern processes that have eliminated these drawbacks to a reasonable extent are used in established leather production houses of today. These modern processes have also worked to increase the quality level of leather and leather goods. This doesn’t mean the ancient procedures have not been totally wiped off as it is still practiced in certain places even today, obviously in the outskirts.
Leather production has a significant impact on the environment. Leather is mainly produced, as stated earlier, from skins of animals. Hence, its influence on the animal kingdom cannot be ignored. To meet the high demands of the market, unfair slaying of animals for their skins is done and though strict rules. These rules have been enforced prohibiting these sorts of activities, yet the law has not been able to keep a proper check.
Especially in countries like India, these brutal activities have resulted in major downfall of the population of livestock. As a result, farmers who earn their living associated with livestock had to face a major crisis. In addition, the tanning of leather produces uses a number of air polluting chemicals, making the entire procedure a foul smelling one that pollutes the air. Though the degree of pollution is much less in the case of modern procedures than the ancient ones, but it is still not something that can be overlooked totally. The transformation process is extremely air polluting as well.
In today’s market the demand of leather and leather products is increasing sharply and thus calling for the growth of different leather productions houses as well. It is a prospering field with immense demand in the market. Hence, if the discussed drawbacks can be eliminated by suitable means, the field will not only be more prosperous, but also take a step forward in becoming environmental friendly as well.