The project was launched in response to calls from tanners and brands for a leather that is completely sustainable. According to Silvateam, this means only using natural products to make leather and working with specialist partners to upcycle used materials back into fertiliser, creating a circular loop.
One of the main challenges for the company has been formulating an effective leather finish without compromising sustainability. However, it is working alongside Biofin Leather to develop metal-free chemicals for leather finishing, which complement Silvateam’s range of natural, renewable products.
Partner tanners and leather suppliers the company has named so far include Italy’s La Scarpa, Volpi and Conceria Valdarno; France’s Mégisserie Richard, Tanneries Haas, Rial and André Hiriar; Mexico’s Wyny, Curfimex and Panamericana del Bajío; Brazil’s JBS Couros; and Turkey’s Sepiciler.
