A CENTURIES-OLD TRADITION

The History of Vegetable-Tanned Leather

SUSTAINABILITY

1. Made in Tuscany
The Genuine Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium is based in Tuscany, along the banks of Arno river, between Florence and Pisa. The associated tanneries operate in symbiosis with the environment thanks to a cutting-edge production district both in terms of
technological and organizational level.


2. Certified quality
By joining the Consortium, tanneries agree to undergo periodic verification on compliance with the Production Regulations. The checks are entrusted to an indipendent certification body: I.CE.C – Institute of Quality Certification for the Leather Sector.


3. Metal-free
The production progress of our associated tanneries is metal-free as it has been all along, thanks to raw materials whose use is linked to the centuries-old history of vegetable tanning. Traditional and natural products for a production process which respects the precepts of sustainability and circularity.


4. No animal is killed for its skin
The raw hides used by our associated tanneries derive from the slaughter of cattle destined, from the outset, to food sector and they come from European farms which comply with EU legislation on animal welfare. The associated tanneries ennoble a by-product of the food industry, avoiding any disposal.

THE PROCESS

Vegetable-Tanned Leather

Why we chose it for you.

5. Natural raw materials
Leather is tanning using natural plant-based tannins. As opposed to synthetic products, tannins come from renewable sources and are valued for their antioxidant, antibiotic and antibacterical feautures.


6. Environmental certification
Tuscan Tanning District is the only in Italy certified by EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme), a tool promoted by EU to encourage the implementation of responsible environmental strategies.


7. Social responsability
The Consortium applies the guidelines of a standars ISO 26000 and puts at the center of the requirements of its trademark Pelle Conciata al Vegetale in Toscana the respect for the environment and human rights, as well as promoting transparency and legality.


8. Compliance with the standards
Consortium fullfils all the European and Italian norms. It constantly strives to ensure the protection of human health, the conservazione of animal and plant species, the protection of the landscape and also of the architectural, artistic and cultural heritage of its territory.


9. Work ethic
The Consortium and all the associated tanneries ensure compliance with current regulations in the field of health, safety at workplace, contracts and wage without discrimation of gender, ethnicity or religious belief.

Both an ancient and modern processing method

The leather used for this purpose comes only from animals intended for meat.

No animal, in fact, is killed simply to obtain the hides to be tanned.

The title "both an ancient and modern processing method"

refers to the foundations upon which the tanning process is still based today, namely: tannins, lime and water.

In ancient times the blend of these three "ingredients" was the guarantor of the quality of the leather. A slow process where the skins were dipped in large tanks in which these substances acted over a span of time ranging from one to three months.

Today, while maintaining the bases of this processing method, the experience and technology we have allow us to work the hides to a higher quality and much faster. The result of this improvement is the technique of in-barrel quick vegetable tanning.

Here is how it works

Pre-tanning stage: before the true tanning stage, the skin is subjected to two baths of a couple of hours each to prepare it to absorb the tannins in the next step and give it a colour thanks to the use of the "tanning liquor".
In-barrel tanning: once ready, the prepared hide is immersed in the barrel filled with tannin (the quantity of which changes according to the weight of the skin) and water. The barrel is turned on and spins in order to facilitate and speed up the penetration of tannins into the hide over 48 hours.
Pre-tanning stage: before the true tanning stage, the skin is subjected to two baths of a couple of hours each to prepare it to absorb the tannins in the next step and give it a colour thanks to the use of the "tanning liquor".
In-barrel tanning: once ready, the prepared hide is immersed in the barrel filled with tannin (the quantity of which changes according to the weight of the skin) and water. The barrel is turned on and spins in order to facilitate and speed up the penetration of tannins into the hide over 48 hours.

Witness the history

Thanks to this process the vegetable-tanned leather is even softer, of a higher quality and particularly resistant.

When a briefcase or travel bag carries the dreams, sacrifices, hard work, and joy of the person who uses it, it becomes more than an object—it becomes a symbol, a living expression of their journey.
We create small containers of emotion, and to do so, we devote the utmost care to every detail. Through work done with precision and passion, we know we have created something meaningful for you—something you will carry with you, every day.