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Three leather types. Three characteristics.
ANILINE LEATHER. More beautiful with age
Aniline Leather is dyed through
and given only a light surface protection. This
allows the leather to breathe, and leaves it extremely
comfortable and soft. Aniline leather ages very
gracefully. A frequently used sofa in aniline leather
acquires its own patina over the years. As with
all delicate materials, this natural surface is
sensitive and needs careful maintenance.
Our manufacturing of aniline leather
requires highly specialized knowledge of tanning,
dyeing, sorting and processing. The same level of
expertise is required of the furniture manufacturer,
who has to select the right leather for each individual
furniture model and the right part of the hide for
each part of the furniture.
SEMI-ANILINE LEATHER. Soft and supple.
The majority of our hides are made
into semi-aniline leather. After being dyed-through,
they are given a light pigmented coating that makes
the leather more durable and easier to care for.
Our careful dyeing and surface finishing methods
ensure that the leather maintains a natural, comfortable
touch while making it more resistant to wear and
tear, whether it is destined for public or private
use. It is easy to clean, and does not age as visibly
as aniline leather.
TECHNICAL LEATHER. Leather for
extreme environments.
Technical leather undergoes
the same processes as aniline and semi-aniline leather,
but is given additional pigmented finishing and
other treatments to meet the standards of the automotive
and aviation industries. As a result, technical
leather lacks some structure of the natural hide.
It is extremely tough, durable and easy to clean
and maintain.
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Through-dyeing and light surface
treatment.
Through-dyeing and light pigmented
finish.
Through-dyeing, pigmented finish
and additional surface treatment.
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The wet part of the tanning
process
We use the world's finest raw material;
bovine hides from Scandinavia. The hides weigh over
25 kg each, and are salted before delivery to protect
them from damage during transit and storage.
Tanning is the process used to
preserve the hides. Prior to tanning, the hides
are prepared through processes known as soaking,
liming and fleshing.
The tanning process takes approximately
48 hours.
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Once tanned, the hides
are graded into various categories. This
process is known as wet blue sorting. All
hides are light blue or cream colored at
this stage.
Experienced graders perform
a visual inspection of hides. This vital
initial grading process determines which
hides are allocated to become aniline, semi-aniline,
or technical leather. Only 100% flawless
hides are approved for aniline leather,
because of the characteristic nakedness
of this leather.
The two graders use a special
sign language to show their chosen grade
for each individual hide, and the lowest
grade "wins". This reduces the risks of
overrating the hides
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After being sorted, trimmed
and inspected, the hides pass to the next
stage.
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