With the growth and expansion of the fashion industry, environmentally conscious efforts are also increasing. It is the dire need of the hour to find sustainable alternatives to genuine leather. Due to this concern, synthetic leather, prominently PU leather, has shown progress and is in high demand.
Like with any material, PU leather has its pros and cons that shall not be looked down upon. Here you will find a few advantages and disadvantages to decide whether it is a good choice for your next fashion purchase.
What is PU Leather?
When the conscious efforts to get a synthetic material as a replacement for genuine leather came to sure shot perfection, it eased the minds of interested people, knowing what does pu leather mean, and they got the correct answer to their query.
A synthetic material that is made by bonding polyurethane to a specified base, like fabric or another synthetic material, is called PU leather. This combination of synthetic material gives the appearance of genuine leather along with the same texture but without animal products.
Manufacturing Process
PU leather manufacturing involves numerous steps, which include the coating of base material with a layer of polyurethane, and further, it is embossed with printing a pattern. The printing and pattern on the surface give a leather-like texture. The product you get is a durable and versatile material used in various fields.
The Advantages of PU Leather
Cost-Effective
The most important advantage of PU leather is reducing the cost of manufacturing genuine leather. It is significantly cheaper, making it an ideal affordable option for customers who are on a budget but want to get the best out of their leather game.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
The maintenance of synthetic leather is comparatively easier than traditional genuine leather. Normally PU leather is water and stain resistant, as opposed to genuine leather, which can easily get stained by a little moisture. Pu leather can get cleaned by wiping the surface with a slightly damp cloth or a sponge to clear any dirt or debris.
Versatile
Regarding versatility, PU leather, as synthetic and man-made, tends able in a wide range of products. The versatility of the products makes it an ideal choice to get multiple varieties of leather in manufacturing bags, shoes, and accessories, along with a wide range of use in furniture and automobile upholstery.
No Animal Cruelty
With the advancement in fashion education, it is becoming more important to know what you can sustain as a fashion choice, PU leather is a vegan and cruelty-free alternative to genuine leather. Pu leather offers a great look and feel with the pros of having no animal cruelty involved.
The Disadvantages of PU Leather
Durability
Genuine leather can withstand cracks or peels, the PU leather has biggest disadvantage is that it cracks up easily. The peeling on the surface of leather also is another concern that PU leather faces. You can’t keep this leather for a long time. With its frequent exposure to sunlight and heat, it can’t remain intact, and peeling happens.
Breathability and Comfort
Synthetic Leather lacks the ability to breathe, as is genuine leather. The original leather can allow the air to circulate easily as it is made of original animal skin, which has pores to allow air circulation.
PU leather, on the other hand, is uncomfortable, and it can’t have wearability for a long time.
Environmental Impact
We can analyze the impact of PU leather on the environment, knowing that it is a totally synthetic material that requires energy and resources to produce. Still, it impacts the environment where it uses resources for its production, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
