Ecological commitment
Values
CUIR DECO's commitment to the environment
Ecological thinking dominates public debate. The younger generation is forcing us to question our lifestyles and habits. Our heritage - our planet - undoubtedly deserves our best care. As users, we need to take full responsibility.
By definition, leather is the world's oldest recycled product. For centuries, humans have used cowhide to protect themselves from the elements and to make objects such as belts, bags and shoes. Despite the introduction of synthetic materials for similar purposes, leather has retained this function. Cattle are slaughtered for their flesh, and every year 7.2 million tons of hides enter the market as residues from the meat industry. These hides are recycled and given a second life that can last for decades. Leather recycling is a sustainable alternative.
Leather is by nature a durable product. Its primary function is to protect the wearer (animal) from the outside world, be it climate or injury. The hide must be a very strong, durable and flexible material. Thousands of microfibers are knotted together, giving the hide unrivalled strength. During the tanning process, the hide is rendered rot-proof while retaining all these characteristics.
High-quality leather-covered sofas last longer than furniture decorated with other materials. What's more, other sofa components such as the frame, foam, suspension, etc., also have a longer lifespan. The main upholstery is often the material that wears out the fastest. So, by choosing sustainable leather products, we meet our ecological objectives.
In Europe, there are strict regulations governing leather production. Wastewater management, chemicals, social conditions - all these parameters are controlled and certified by ecological laws. All leathers used by CUIR DECO have been tested and certified to comply with current legislation. The company is committed to respecting these ecological standards and promoting responsible production.
CUIR DECO's commitment to the environment is reflected in its choice of leather as a sustainable material, and its desire to comply with environmental regulations. By opting for recycled leather products and respecting ecological production standards, CUIR DECO contributes to the preservation of our planet. As consumers, we can support this initiative by choosing sustainable, environmentally-friendly products. Together, we can work towards a more ecological and sustainable future.
Always looking for solutions...
We found an ORGANIC LEATHER that is part of a sustainable development process. Here are the key points:
- Vegetable tannins:Leather is tanned using tannins extracted from vegetable sources, making it more environmentally friendly than traditional methods using harmful chemicals.
.. Support from renewable resources: Leather is made from renewable resources, reducing the impact on the environment and avoiding the depletion of natural resources.
- Ecological" green innovation process: The leather manufacturing process incorporates innovative and ecological methods to minimize the environmental footprint and reduce waste.
- 40% less water consumption thanks to this new technology: The new method used in leather production reduces water consumption by 40% compared with traditional standards.
- Chromium-free (less than 0.3% heavy metals ISO 17072-3 / EN 15987): Leather is produced without the use of chromium or with less than 0.3% heavy metals, helping to prevent environmental problems linked to the presence of chromium in the environment.
- 100% of electricity used comes from renewable sources: The electrical energy used in the leather manufacturing process comes exclusively from renewable sources, thus reducing the company's carbon footprint.
- Social and environmental responsibility charter: The company is committed to respecting a social and environmental responsibility charter, which means that it takes social and environmental aspects into account in its business practices.
Despite all these ecological features, the company still offers a wide range of colors to meet customers' needs and preferences. PUCCINI - 12. Colors
ANTIVIRAL and ANTIBACTERIAL LEATHER.
Without changing the wide choice of our color range: ref. PRIMMALINEA 99.9 - 60 COLORS.
An innovation that offers effective protection against bacteria and viruses, preventing their survival and replication on leather, with an effective level of protection of up to 99.9%.
A kind of barrier capable of preventing the reproduction of pathogens that might eventually come into contact with leather.
Indeed, the surfaces of objects, especially those touched and used by many people, can be contaminated by pathogenic bacteria and viruses, turning the object into a vector of contagion.
It is essential to continue to promote and develop new technologies and innovations to improve hygiene and safety, particularly in environments where disease transmission can be a major concern.
Claims for protection against bacteria and viruses must be rigorously tested and verified in accordance with applicable health and safety standards.
These values reflect the company's commitment to a more environmentally and socially responsible approach to leather manufacturing.
Technological developments in animal hide processing
As we navigate through an era of dazzling technological advances, it's fascinating to observe how these are influencing sectors as traditional as animal hide processing.
1/ Historical beginnings
Have you ever thought about the origin of the leather you wear? Technological development in the processing of animal skins dates back to prehistoric times. Back then, prehistoric man used primitive tools to skin and work animal skins for clothing and protection against the cold.
Over the centuries, our predecessors improved their techniques - using salt to preserve hides and tannin from tree bark to convert them into leather. These demanding manual processes were nonetheless effective.
However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the industrial revolution brought about a major transformation. Machines were invented to automate the tanning process, increasing production while enhancing the quality of the final product.
Then in the 20th century, with the advent of contemporary chemistry and synthetic polymers, we succeeded in artificially manufacturing leather. This breakthrough opened a new chapter in the history of animal hide processing - even if it also gave rise to intense debate about our relationship with the environment and the animal kingdom.
2/ Traditional tanning
The use of tree bark
In the traditional tanning process, we use natural elements such as tree bark. Rich in tannins, essential substances for guaranteeing the durability and strength of leather, bark plays a vital role. The process involves immersing animal hides in a bath of bark decoction, which can last for weeks or even months. The combination of water and tannins stabilizes the hide's protein fibers.
The consequences of a lime bath
Even before treatment with tree bark, there is a crucial step: soaking in a lime bath. This operation fulfils two functions: it purifies the hide by removing dirt and other impurities, but above all, it causes the fibers to expand, facilitating their saturation by the tannins during tanning. It is this combination of pre-treatment in the lime bath and the subsequent action of the tannins that gives life to leather as we know it today.
3/ The evolution to modern treatment
Application of chemical agents
While traditional treatment of animal hides relied mainly on natural methods, the industrial revolution led to the emergence of more efficient, contemporary techniques. Chemical substances began to be used to facilitate the tanning process. Chromium, in particular, quickly became an essential element in this change. Not only did it speed up the process, it also improved the quality of the leather produced.
Setting up the mechanized system
With the increased use of chemical agents, we are also witnessing the gradual introduction of systematic mechanization into animal hide processing operations. This transition to a more automated approach has facilitated mass production while ensuring unprecedented uniformity and precision in the results obtained.
Environmental safety and sustainable development
Despite these remarkable advances, these new processes were not without harmful effects on the environment and human health. They often generate toxic waste that can contaminate soil and groundwater if not properly managed.
Faced with this considerable challenge, a new area of development has emerged: that of ecologically sustainable processing of animal skins. Measures have been taken to minimize the environmental impact of modern tanning: use of less harmful chemicals, introduction of wastewater recovery and treatment systems, and waste recycling. These technological and environmental developments have been a crucial step towards an environmentally-friendly and more sustainable tanning process.
4/ The future of animal leather
Digital technologies and animal leather
The future of animal leather is largely shaped by the integration of digital technologies. They offer significant improvements in the precision, speed and efficiency of conversion processes. What's more, these technological advances bring unprecedented traceability to the sector, promoting better resource management.
Ecological trends influence the future of leather
Beyond the technological contribution, we are seeing the emergence of an eco-responsible approach to the manufacture of animal leather. The use of chemicals is gradually being replaced by processes that are more respectful of our planet. Innovative techniques are based on the fundamentals of sustainable development, combining industrial performance and environmental conservation.