Vegetable tanned leather

What is vegetable-tanned leather?

Vegetable-tanned leather is leather that has been tanned using tanning agents (tannins) derived from natural compounds found in tree bark.

Vegetable tanning has been used for centuries and is considered more environmentally friendly than other tanning methods, such as chrome tanning. It is a slower process than others and takes over 30 days to transform hides into leather without the use of toxic chemicals.

Many of our products at Gusti Leather are made from vegetable-tanned leather. We have chosen this process because it is more environmentally friendly, produces no toxic waste, and results in strong, durable leather while allowing the leather’s natural color to shine through.

What is the vegetable tanning process like at Gusti?

At Gusti, we use vegetable-tanned leather from Gruben. We source our leather primarily from two suppliers:

— Our local tannery purchases hides from butchers in the region.

— They also receive leather scraps that are left over from local celebrations.

This means that every piece of leather is sourced locally.

1. The raw hides are salted to preserve them and then sent to tanneries.
2. The hides are desalted in drums to remove the salt used for preservation.
3. The hides are washed with a solution of lime, sulfur sulfate, and enzymes to remove any hair during the liming process.
4. Excess flesh is removed from the wet hides using a flesh-stripping machine.
5. The hides are now ready to begin the tanning process.
6. The hides are taken back to the tannery, where the tanners wet them and layer them in a pit.
7. The hides are stacked on top of one another, with tree bark sprinkled between each one. Water is then added to the pit.
8. The tree bark, also known as tannin, releases the tanning agent, which is absorbed by the hides. At Gusti, we use bark from the babul and aaval trees and do not use any chemicals.
9. Once all the tanning agent has been released, the hides are transferred to another dry pit, and the process is repeated.
10. The entire process is repeated for 25 to 35 days and is complete once the hide is tanned and has returned to its original shape. This process is known as pit tanning of vegetable-tanned leather.
11. The excess fat is then removed from the skin by hand.
12. Castor oil is applied to the hide, which is then hung up to dry.
13. After drying, any stiffness is removed from the hide with a knife.
The hide is then ready for use.
14. The hide is washed once more, dried in the sun, and then crafted into bags.
This process results in 100% vegetable-tanned Goat leather from the pit.
In the production of our vegetable-tanned leather, we adhere to the following standards:
- Our Gusti Leder nature products are 100% vegetable-tanned.
- Our Gusti Leder studio products contain less than 3,000 mg of chromium per kilogram of leather, and one of the tanning processes the hides undergo must be vegetable tanning.
This process results in 100% vegetable-tanned Goat leather from the tannery.
In the production of our vegetable-tanned leather, we adhere to the following standards:
- Our Gusti Leder nature products are 100% vegetable-tanned.
- Our Gusti Leder studio products contain less than 3,000 mg of chromium per kilogram of leather, and one of the tanning processes the hides undergo must be vegetable tanning.

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How do we ensure that the standards are met?

We regularly test our leather products; you can see which products have been tested on our product pages.

If we determine that three chrome-free products have a chromium content exceeding 1,000 mg, we impose a penalty equal to 40% of the shipment’s value.

The Environmental Friendliness of Vegetable-Tanned Leather

At Gusti Leather, we use vegetable-tanned leather, which is traditionally processed using tannins derived from tree bark. This natural process does not involve chromium or synthetic chemicals and relies on time-honored craftsmanship.

Why Vegetable-Tanned Leather Is Special

Natural materials: We use only organic tannins derived from tree bark.

Authentic appearance: The leather’s natural color and texture are preserved and develop a unique character over time.

Durability: Vegetable-tanned leather is robust and retains its shape for many years.

Reduced use of chemicals: By avoiding synthetic tanning agents, we minimize the use of potentially harmful substances.

Vegetable-tanned leather and the environment

Vegetable-tanned leather is traditionally processed using tannins derived from tree bark and is a natural alternative to chrome tanning.

This gentle process does not involve the use of synthetic tanning agents and results in high-quality, durable leather. The leather’s natural color, breathability, and texture are preserved.

Discover our bags and accessories made from vegetable-tanned leather and make more conscious choices for long-lasting products—a step toward slow fashion.