What is composition leather? In this report, you will discover the essence of composition leather — also known as composite leather, bonded leather, eleather, E-leather or engineering leather.

You will read facts such as Leather fiber content percentage (%), performance test data (a Test Report in performance section). And Summary : Key Points in the end.

For Whom ? — This report is for anyone, from someone who knows little about leather composition all the way to someone who knows something already.

Solve What Problems ? — Without understanding “What Is Composition Leather?” in essence, you might suffer a loss when making a purchase decision

Basics : Concepts

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To start off, let’s view key concepts first, and define what is not composition leather?

Leather : It is made from animal skin.
Leather Offcuts : They are leftover materials from leather product manufacturers.
Backing : It is the bottom layer of the composition leather.
Binding : It is the process of building shredded leather fiber into a sheet.
Coating : It is the top layer of the composition leather.

Essence : What Is Composition Leather?

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> Composition leather is also known as reconstituted leather, blended leather, bonded leather, or composite leather.

It is a material made of shredded leather fibers bonded together with polyurethane or latex onto a fiber sheet. It has the appearance and texture of real leather at a lower cost.

1.What Is Not ?

> Not 100% Real Leather
> Not 100% Faux Leather
> Not 100% Vegan Leather

Composition leather is not genuine leather. It is not made from animal hides but rather recycled leather fibers and artificial materials. It is not 100% faux leather either because at least 50% of its content is made from real leather. It is not 100% vegan leather. It still has animal skin content.

2.Composition Leather Meaning (In Essence)

> Synthetic Material
> Emulate the Properties of Real Leather
> Leather Fiber Made Base

In essence, composition leather is a synthetic material made to emulate the properties of real leather. It contains a blend of shredded leather fibers, polyurethane or latex, and fiber sheets. The leather fibers provide texture and appearance, while the polyurethane or latex act as bonding agents to hold the material together. The fiber sheets form the base and provide durability.

> Composite Leather
> Bonded Leather
> Blended Leather
> Recycled Leather
> Reconstructed Leather
> Eleather OR Engineering Leather

All of the items listed above are the same thing.For example, Eleather or Engineering Leather are some invented brand names for marketing purposes. In essence, it is the Composition Leather

Manufacture : What Is Composition Leather Made Of?

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1.Multilayer Structure

Per the European Committee’s standard EN15987:2011, the composition leather shall consist of at least 50% leather fiber weight.

> Polyurethane or Latex Coating : 30-50%
> Leather Fiber Base : 50-70%

Composition leather has a multilayer structure typically containing a fiber base, shredded leather fibers, bonding agents, and a surface finishing layer. The fiber base, usually polyester or paper, makes up 10-30% of the material. The shredded leather fibers account for 50-70%, while bonding agents like polyurethane or latex make up 30-50%. The surface finish contributes 2-5%.

2.Raw Materials [1] : Resin Coating

> It Provides Strength & Durability.

Polyurethane or latex are commonly used as bonding agents to adhere the shredded leather fibers together. They make up 30-50% of the material and provide strength and durability. Polyurethane creates a stiffer feel, while latex results in a softer feel.

3.Raw Materials [2] : Leather Fiber Base

> Recycled Leather Scraps, Trimmings, Shavings
> 50-70% of the Material

The shredded leather fibers are made from recycled leather scraps, trimmings, and shavings from tanneries and leather product factories. They make up 50-70% of the material and provide texture, appearance, and breathability. The most common types are cowhide and pigskin.

4.Production Process

> Step 1 : Shred Recycled Leather into Fibers
> Step 2 : Mix with Bonding Agents
> Step 3 : Apply Mixture onto a Fiber Sheet
> Step 4 : Finish with Surface Coating

The production process involves shredding recycled leather into fibers, mixing with bonding agents like polyurethane or latex, applying the mixture onto a fiber sheet, usually made of polyester or paper, and finishing with a surface coating. The materials go through a heating and rolling process to bind and compress them together. The surface finish provides protection and enhances appearance.

Values : Why Does Composition Leather Exist?

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1.Reduce Environment’s Burden

> It well utilized leftover leather offcuts, which are supposed to be buried in soil.

There are many leather product manufacturers around the world. Every year, countless leather offcuts are leftover from production lines. If not utilized, they are supposed to be buried in the soil – a significant burden to the environment. Things began to change after people began utilizing leather offcuts by making composition leather.

2.Increase Leather Supply

> It expands the available material source for leather products.

It helps supplement the supply of leather and meet the demand for leather products. Composition leather expands the available source of material for making shoes, bags, clothes, upholstery, and other goods. This helps address increasing costs and the limited supply of high-quality leather.

3.More Affordable

> It provides a lower-cost alternative to high-quality leather.

Composition leather products are more affordable since the raw materials are cheaper to acquire and less time-consuming to produce. Savings can be passed on to consumers.

Performance : Is Composition Leather Good?

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1.Performance

>1 Sufficient Physical Properties
>2 Touch / Look Like Real Leather
>3 Very Good Price-Performance Ratio (for Users)

Earlier generations of composition leather used to lack the strength, durability, and breathability of real leather. They tend to break down faster over time with use and exposure. However, with technological advances, its performance continues to improve. For certain applications, its properties are sufficient and indistinguishable from real leather. Plus, the price-performance ratio is very good!

View Tech. Datasheet ? Keep Reading Next Paragraph :))

2.Technical Indicators

> Usual Thickness : 1.2mm~2.0mm (can be produced)
> Usual GSM : Read Test Report for Reference (It varies from different thickness)
> Usual Lifespan : Standard version can last at least 5 years.

Composition Leather is a type of synthetic leather technology platform. When it comes to development, materials with different thickness, gsm, lifespan, handtouch feel, etc. can be achieved. Because different products entail the materials to have different physical properties.

3.Processability

>1 Embossed Composition Leather : Available
>2 Perforated Composition Leather : Available
>3 Anti-flaming Composition Leather : Available

Composition leather is easier to manipulate during the manufacturing process. It can be embossed with various patterns and cut into different shapes without difficulty. Adhesives also bind well to their surfaces. However, it requires different techniques compared to real leather.

Plus, what other composition leather types are there?

By Features :
[Click] Silicone Composition Leather
[Click] CPU Composition Leather
[Click] Super Soft Composition Leather

By Applications/Markets:
[Click] Version for Bag Industry (Handbags , Designer Bags , Suitcases)
[Click] Version for Fashion Goods Industry (Handbags , Designer Bags , Suitcases)
[Click] Version for Notebooks, Book Covers, etc.

If You Haven’t Found Your Searching Ones:
[Click] Talk to An Expert (Happy to develop it)

3.Composite Leather vs Synthetic Leather

Both are artificial materials, but composition leather contains real shredded leather fibers while synthetic leather is entirely man-made. Composition leather is more sustainable but less durable. Synthetic leather is the opposite.

4.Composite Leather vs Leather

Leather comes from animal skins and is more durable, breathable, and expensive. Composition leather contains 50-70% recycled leather fibers but also uses polyurethane or latex and fiber sheets. It aims to achieve a leather-like look and feel at a lower cost.

5.Composition Leather vs PU Leather

PU or polyurethane leather has a 100% man-made polyurethane surface, while composition leather contains real shredded leather fibers (50-70%) bound with polyurethane (30–50%). Composition leather is softer, more breathable, but less durable. Both are cheaper alternatives to real leather.

FQA

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1.Is Composite Leather Real Leather?

Answer is “No”

It contains real shredded leather fibers but requires polyurethane or latex to bind the materials together. On their own, shredded leather fibers do not have adequate properties to be considered real leather.

2.Is Composite Leather Fake?

Technically “Yes”.

As it requires artificial ingredients and processing to produce. However, it does contain recycled leather fibers, so it’s not entirely fake. It aims to achieve a real leather-like appearance and texture at a lower cost.

3.Is Composite Leather Vegan?

Technically “No”.

Composition leather is not vegan because it contains real shredded leather fibers from animal hides, typically cowhide or pigskin. Although recycled, the material is still derived from animals. Synthetic leather and other vegan-friendly materials are 100% artificial.

4.Composition Leather HS Code?

411420 is its HS code.

The HS or Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, code for composition leather is 411420. This code specifically refers to bonded, laminated, or coated textile materials or rags of leather or composition leather.

5.What Is The Difference Between Composite Leather And Leather?

[1]Materials  [2]Durability  [3]Breathability
[4]Cost  [5]Sustainability  [6]Appearance

The major differences are:

Raw materials : Leather comes from animal rawhides; composition leather contains 50-70% recycled leather fibers and 30-50% polyurethane or latex.
Durability : Leather is more durable while composition leather breaks down faster.
Breathability : Leather is breathable but composition leather is less permeable.
Cost : Leather is more expensive; composition leather aims to imitate leather at a lower cost.
Sustainability : Composition leather uses recycled materials so it’s more sustainable than leather that comes from raising livestock.
Appearance : Composition leather has a similar appearance to leather but lacks the natural imperfections. It has an artificial feel upon close inspection.

⚉ Talk to an Expert :

More questions ?
Want some samples ?
Need visualized test data ?

Submit “request” for [THIS PRODUCT]
Email us at billy.clientservice@gmail.com

Summary : Key Points

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Its performance continues to get closer to real leather.

Partly synthetic Material (411420 is its HS code) to Emulate the Properties of Real Leather.
Resin Coating (Provides Strength & Durability) – 30-50%
Leather Fiber Base (Recycled Leather Scraps, Trimmings, Shavings) – 50-70%

For many applications, it serves as a satisfactory and eco-friendly substitute.

[AUTHOR]
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Billy Lyu is a Product Manager at Ecoleathery with 15+ Years’ Experience in Textile Industry.
Keep “Improving to Understand Needs”, “Seeking Ways to Meet Needs, Better & Faster”.

EcoLeathery (TM) is a Manufacturer of Composition Leather with 18+ Years’ Expertise.
Keep “Improving User Experience” , “Launching New Materials” , “Improving Productivity / Cost”.

[FEFERENCE]
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The Technology of Engineered Leather – eleathergroup.com
Bonded Leather – en.wikipedia.org
What is Bonded Leather – youtube.com