What is synthetic leather?
Synthetic leather is a type of industrial leather that is produced by gluing synthetic materials to natural fabric. This product is an alternative created to mimic the appearance and texture of natural leather without using animal products. The synthetic leather is as soft as natural leather and is water-resistant. That's why it rarely stains, and if it does, it's not hard to clean. Although synthetic leather is less durable than natural leather, it's also less susceptible to scratches and cuts, making it one of the best options for use in the furniture and decoration industries.
Applications of synthetic leather
Synthetic leather can be used in various industries, including the production of bags, shoes, clothing, and furniture, such as office chairs and sofas. This type of leather is usually produced at a much lower cost than natural leather. In comparison to natural leather, it is easier to use. Of course, synthetic leather is less resistant than natural leather and can be easily damaged. This type of leather is not environmentally friendly.
Most manufacturers of synthetic leather produce it in the same color as natural leather, but this type of leather can be produced in a variety of colors. Some manufacturers of bags and shoes use colors such as yellow, green, purple, or even blue to produce their products in order to offer products with a wide variety of colors to the market. Since synthetic leather, like natural leather, has a high ability to retain body heat, this product is also used to produce jackets and coats.
The difference between synthetic and natural leather
The difference between synthetic leather and natural leather is not obvious at first glance, and even experts in the clothing industry can distinguish natural leather from synthetic leather just by touching and smelling it. Synthetic leather feels like plastic to the touch; this is the most common way to distinguish leather.
The history of synthetic leather
One of the first types of synthetic leather was called Presstoff. This type of leather is still in production and is used in many products. Presstoff was invented in Germany, and its use flourished as natural leather was scarce during the World Wars. However, Presstoff production was not very popular outside of Germany, and many consumers preferred to use other types of leather, which were of better quality.
The first time synthetic leather was widely used was in 1920, when a type of artificial leather called Naugahyde was produced by engineers at the United States Rubber Company. It was first used in products such as handbags.
For many years, the name "Naugahyde" was used as a synonym for artificial leather. In the 1930s and 1940s, many industries used Naugahyde in various applications.
Many researchers believe that the use of synthetic leather dates to the 15th century in China, but there is not enough evidence to prove the widespread use of synthetic leather at that time.
The production of synthetic leather only began after the production of petrochemical plastics. Before that, there was virtually no history of the widespread production or use of synthetic leather. After the production of Naugahyde, several other companies also turned to the production of synthetic leather. Although Naugahyde was still considered one of the most famous brands of synthetic leather by manufacturers until the late 19th century, its use decreased in the 20th century and was replaced by other brands.