Faux leather - Leatherette
Industry Uses, Properties, and Common Questions
Faux leather, also known as synthetic leather, imitation leather, or vegan leather, is a versatile, popular, and affordable alternative to real leather. It combines the timeless elegance of genuine leather with durability and practicality. The diverse properties and multiple benefits of leatherette make it an increasingly popular choice in the industrial upholstery, marine upholstery, fashion, hospitality, and automotive industries.
The costs, environmental concerns, and ethical implications of using genuine leather make this a difficult choice, one with real challenges for many companies. In order to lead positive change in manufacturing, it is important for companies to spearhead more conscious and human-friendly manufacturing decisions.
Faux leather offers a cruelty-free and environmentally friendly alternative to leather and brings many practical benefits for both manufacturers and consumers. Read on to learn key information about the different types of synthetic leather and find out if it could be the right choice for your business.
¿What is leatherette or Faux leather?
Faux leather is an industrial material designed to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather. Made from polyurethane or PVC, it eliminates the need for animal hides in the manufacturing process, making it a cruelty-free fabric option.
- Faux leather comes in various forms, including:
PU leather (polyurethane leather): a breathable, soft, and environmentally friendly material. - PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride or vinyl) leather: a water-resistant and durable fabric.
Leatherette is durable and easy to maintain, making it suitable for many products. Its production generally requires fewer resources and produces less pollution compared to traditional leather tanning, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
¿What is Faux leather used for?
Faux leather has a wide range of applications, from upholstery to fashion.
It is very popular in the fashion, hospitality, and furniture upholstery, marine, and automotive industries. It is suitable for creating apparel, footwear, and accessories, including garments such as jackets, coats, skirts, pants, and shoes. It is also suitable for handbags and luggage and home decor items such as cushions, pillows, wall coverings, and table runners. It is also popular in the manufacture of phone cases, tablet covers, laptop sleeves, and other electronic device accessories.
Many companies use leatherette in furniture manufacturing, especially in the marine industry due to its water and UV resistance. It’s used for sofas, chairs, recliners, and even boat seats and covers. Faux leather can also be found in car seats, steering wheel covers, and other vehicle accessories.
¿What are the properties of Faux leather?
Leatherette for technical and industrial applications has a large number of properties that are highly beneficial in manufacturing.
Leather-like appearance
Leatherette is designed to closely resemble the look and feel of real leather. Faux leather is available in a variety of finishes, from smooth to textured with countless designs.
Durability and resistance
Water resistance
Faux leather offers varying degrees of water resistance depending on the type. PVC-based faux leather options are highly water-resistant.
Flexibility and malleability
Faux leather is relatively flexible, making it easy to shape and mold. This makes it highly practical for various applications and easy to work with.
Retains colour
Preserves the color
Faux leather has excellent colorfastness. It retains its color even with prolonged exposure to sunlight or other weather conditions. This makes it a practical choice for outdoor use and exposure to the elements, such as in hospitality furniture, marine upholstery, and general contract applications.
Ecological
The production of faux leather generally requires fewer resources than traditional leather tanning processes. It also generates less pollution. The use of synthetic materials reduces environmental impact, making it a more eco-friendly option.
Animal friendly
Since faux leather is artificial, no animal hides are used in its production. Manufacturers and companies concerned with the ethical and moral aspects of using genuine leather see vegan (synthetic) leather as an excellent alternative. It is animal-friendly and offers the same benefits in terms of durability, versatility, and style.
Faux leather industry uses
This is how leatherette is used innovatively in many industries.
Hospitality industry
The use of faux leather or synthetic leather is common in the hospitality industry. Hotels, restaurants, cafés, and bars often choose synthetic leather for upholstery and furniture—especially for seating options that are durable and easy to clean.
UV-resistant and fire-retardant faux leather, elegant polyurethane leather, or low-maintenance synthetic leather are ideal for outdoor furniture, depending on your needs. You can also opt for smooth and soft synthetic leather for indoor upholstery.
Fashion and apparel industry
The fashion industry also uses large amounts of faux leather to produce clothing, accessories, and footwear.
Automotive sector
The automotive industry is increasingly using faux leather to cover seats, interiors, and steering wheels. There is elegant, durable, and abrasion-resistant faux leather, which is especially preferred for automobile interiors.
Classic faux leather is a great option in its two most common versions: PVC or PU for a softer feel. Non-slip faux leather is ideal for motorcycle seats.
Home Decor and upholstery
Electronic Device Accessories
Accessories and cases for electronic devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops also use faux leather.
Marine Industry
Frequently asked questions
Faux leather or synthetic leather is a durable and strong alternative to genuine leather. However, quality and use determine its scratch resistance. Lower-quality faux leather materials may be more prone to scratches, while high-quality faux leather, like Expafol, is highly resistant to scratches.
Faux leather, also known as synthetic leather, is more water-resistant than genuine leather, although it is not fully waterproof because it is slightly porous. Generally, it can withstand moisture and water, but since it is typically stitched, it should be avoided from constant exposure to watery environments. The type of synthetic leather also determines its water resistance, with some versions being highly resistant to moisture and weather elements.
Synthetic leather typically lasts between two and eight years before it begins to crack, peel, and degrade, although this will largely depend on its usage and, most importantly, the maintenance it receives. Durability also heavily depends on the quality and formulation of the item.
Faux leather uses no animal products for its creation and is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Faux leather does not use as many natural resources and chemicals as the leather tanning process for genuine leather making it a more eco-friendly and sustainable option.
Your high-quality, affordable faux leather solution
If you want to start exploring our high-quality faux leather portfolio that looks and feels like genuine leather, is vegan and eco-friendly (and won’t break the bank), Expafol can help you.
With over 30 years of experience in textile manufacturing, Expafol is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of industrial fabrics. They offer a wide selection of synthetic materials and natural leather substitutes that can be applied across various industries.
From impeccable durability and resistance to a wide variety of color options and sleek finishes, you’ll find a style that fits every need. Feel secure knowing your business will be animal-friendly and environmentally conscious, all while saving money.
Find out how to get started today.
