Macaca Mulatta

• Leather Handbags
• Leather Briefcase
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• Leather Shoulder Bags
• Ladies Leather Briefcase
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Tanning is the process of transforming animal hides into leather used in consumer goods. There are many methods of tanning ranging from the ancient to the modern, using tanning agents from mineral to vegetable. Different processes and tanning agents produce finished leathers of different quality, durability and color. Mineral tanning produces high quality industrial leathers or garments. Vegetable tanning produces wonderful results for luxury leathers.

Cattle leather goods can begin as products of the meat industry.This is the environmentally friendly option as the meat industry produces less waste when the hides are used to produce leather goods. It also avoids the need to raise animals specifically to harvest their hides, something many would consider an inhumane way to treat animals.

The hides are carefully prepared and cleaned in preparation for the tanning process. Without this preparation the hides would not allow the tanning agents to penetrate properly and be of poor quality as finished products. When the hides are ready, one of two tanning processes is selected, based on the tannery and the final products to be produced with the leather.

Mineral tanning and vegetable tanning differ in the materials used in the tanning process. Mineral tanning involves the use of chromium or other harsh chemicals. Vegetable tanning uses natural astringents, called tannins, as its tanning agent. It is from this substance that the term tanning gets its name. Tannins for leather treatment most often come from tree bark. They are also found in wine and tea, and are the substance that causes you to pucker your cheeks when drinking bitter wines or teas. They also cause hides to react to them on contact, the quality that makes them useful in tanning.

Mineral tanning is relatively quick to complete, but mineral tanning chemicals can be challenging to recycle. Products made from mineral tanning can be made extremely hardy, or have extremely good stretching qualities. Hardy products include shoe soles and leather strapping. The more stretchable variety is excellent for use in garments such as coats. Its pliable nature lets it respond well to the rigors of being worn as clothing. Mineral tanning is a modern invention, taking full advantage of advances in chemistry and mechanization to create a speedy, effective way to transform rawhide to finished leather.

Vegetable tanning takes longer to complete than mineral tanning. Its source, tree bark, has a lower environmental impact than mineral tanning. Different tree barks produce leathers of different base shades and flexibility. Vegetable tanned leathers are known for their supple quality and durability, making them ideal for uses from saddles to luggage. It’s frequently used for luxury leather goods because vegetable tanning promotes great resiliency, water resistance, and material longevity. Vegetable tanning is an older style of tanning with a rich history, often desired for its relationship to traditional tanning methods.

In either case the final product can be of good quality. If the goal is to produce luxury goods like luggage or handbags, vegetable tanning is the preferred method.