PU Leather – A Cheap Alternative To Traditional Leather  

Leather has always been a source of luxury and style. It is mostly known for its high-quality and durable products. We need to keep in mind that traditional leather is an expensive item. However, with time, the need for leather continued to increase. To cope with this situation, the advancement in technology introduced an affordable and similar-looking product known as PU leather. 

Now PU leather is widely used in different industries. In this blog, we will have a deeper understanding of PU leather, along with its advantages and disadvantages. 

What is PU Leather?

PU leather, as the name suggests is made of polyurethane material. This is an alternative to genuine leather yet gives a similar appearance. PU leather involves no killing of animals (for their skins) in its production and is completely vegan. However, polyurethane can have an impact on the environment as it is non-biodegradable. 

How is PU Leather Manufactured?

Before we move ahead, let’s first explore how is PU leather manufactured: 

• PU leather is manufactured by coating polyurethane on another material; mostly polyester or fabric. 
• This offers structure whereas polyurethane gives a leathery appearance to the material. 
• Now this layer of PU is passed through different chemicals that work on its durability such as flame retardants and anti-microbial agents, etc. 
• Once the coating is settled, the surface of the polyurethane is textured to make it resemble animal skin. 
• Later, in the end, a finishing coat is applied to PU leather for its glossy or matte look.

Advantages of PU Leather

The following are the advantages of using PU leather: 

Cost Effective

For those looking for a budget-friendly option for making leather products, PU leather can be the one. Unlike genuine or traditional leather, it is made of synthetic fibers at a much cheaper price. Hence it is a cost-effective product. 

Eco-Friendly

The making of traditional leather is done by utilizing animal skins after killing them. Therefore, it can attract people looking for an eco-friendly and vegan option. 

Quality

PU leather is more flexible and softer and can be molded easily. Hence, it offers almost similar quality and appearance than the traditional leather. 

Disadvantages of PU Leather

The following are the disadvantages of PU leather you need to know: 

Environmental Impact 

The manufacturing process of PU leather produces plastic which can harm the environment by taking years to degrade. 

Toxic Chemicals

The products made from PU chemicals can have toxic chemicals, harming human health and the environment. 

Heat and Fire Resistance 

Unlike genuine leather, PU leather is less heat and fire-resistant. As it involves plastic in its manufacturing process it tends to melt or deform. 

What is PU Leather Used For?

Now that we are aware of what is PU leather, let’s see what can it be used for: 

Furniture 

When it comes to the production of furniture, leather is widely used. PU leather is a common material used for this sake. As it is affordable and gives a similar appearance to that of traditional leather, it can be a great option for furniture such as office chairs, sofas, etc. 

Car Interior 

PU leather is also used in the interior of cars such as seats, steering wheels, seat belts, etc offering enhanced comfort and quality. 

Accessories 

PU leather is also used in different fashion accessories such as bags, shoes, wallets, etc. But not just this, PU leather is also widely used in the manufacturing of sports accessories such as gloves, footballs, etc. 

Conclusion

To sum this up, PU leather can be a helpful material for different purposes if used wisely. All you need to do is keep it clean and maintained to improve its longevity. However, when opting for PU leather consider its disadvantages and the purpose you are using it for. 

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