Enviro Hide vs. Bonded Leather: A New Era for Sustainable Alternatives
In our quest for sustainable materials, we have seen a variety of alternative solutions enter the market. Today, we turn our attention to two alternatives to traditional leather: Enviro Hide by EmTech and Bonded Leather. We'll delve into their manufacturing processes, characteristics, and applications to provide a comprehensive comparison.
Understanding the Players
Enviro Hide by EmTech is an innovative, sustainable alternative to leather made from recycled leather products. Its manufacturing process reduces waste, water, and chemical usage, making it an environmentally friendly choice that aligns with the circular economy model.
Bonded Leather, on the other hand, is a type of near-synthetic leather constructed from ground-up leather scraps. These scraps are finely shredded and bonded together using a plastic mixture onto a fiber or paper backing.
Process and Sustainability
Enviro Hide and Bonded Leather share a common starting point: they both utilize leather scraps. However, the processes diverge significantly thereafter.
Enviro Hide's production process is a result of extensive research and testing, ensuring a safe and sustainable manufacturing process. It uses 90% less water than traditional leather production and reduces harmful waste from the manufacturing process.
Bonded Leather, meanwhile, involves mixing shredded leather fibers with a polyurethane plastic or latex plastic mixture, which is then extruded onto a backing. The bonded material is dyed, embossed, and finished with a synthetic surface protectant.
Quality and Durability
In terms of durability, Enviro Hide outperforms Bonded Leather. Independent tests have shown that Enviro Hide is 20% stronger than split leather and 70% of the weight of an equivalent 'size' split leather. Furthermore, it has the look, feel, and performance of genuine leather, and it's low maintenance, durable, and long-lasting.
Conversely, Bonded Leather, while less expensive than most other types of leather and available in many colors and surface textures, lacks flexibility and durability. It can crack within just a few years of use and becomes more difficult to repair over time.
Applications and Future
Enviro Hide has a wide range of applications, from automotive and aviation seats to residential and commercial interior design projects. It's also suitable for the automobile industry, transport, aviation, government procurement, commercial office, and building fit-outs, footwear, and clothing industries.
Bonded Leather, due to its lower cost, is commonly used in furniture upholstery. However, its performance does not match that of natural leather, and its overall durability issues limit its lifespan and applications.
In summary, while both materials provide alternatives to traditional leather, Enviro Hide by EmTech stands out as a game-changing material that not only offers a sustainable and viable alternative to leather but also excels in terms of quality, durability, and application versatility. It's a shining example of how innovation can drive sustainability without compromising on performance.
Conclusion
EmTech's Enviro Hide provides a fully circular, sustainable alternative to bonded leather. With its environmental benefits, durability, and versatility, it's poised to revolutionise the leather industry, providing a better choice for manufacturers and consumers who are conscious about the environment and the future of our planet.