Tanning Leather

I had to go around to a few different tanneries last month… and every time I go I learn more about the tanning process. I know that it’s GROSS to think about, but I have been assured by some of the most reputable tanneries in Italy that no animal is ever killed just for its skin. This is one of the driving forces in the escalating price of leather. The demand for animal meat is decreasing, so the price of leather will surely be effected. Most large tanneries in Tuscany are in the same town… Santa Croce sull’Arno and they share a water treatment plant to clean the water after the tanning process. In the courtyard at Conceria Polaris (where I bought skins of Articles, Buttero, Fly and Bliss because their hand is so waxy and supple that I wanted to make some boots out of them PRONTO) I noticed that on the bags covering the stacks of “grey goods” (untanned leather) were article names. Apparently as the workers are tumbling, depilatory-ing, and scathing, they are also noting which article each skin is best suited for. Also found out that the “crosta”, or inside layer that makes suede splits is often sold to other tanneries who specialize in suede (like Ambassador, for instance).

Advertisement