Real leather is available in different fine, refined and premium types. Here you can learn more about these some of the premium and soft leathers.

Aniline leather is pure real leather and the finest leather available. Although it is available in various colours, the surface is not coated. The natural characteristics of the hide are thereby preserved, and any natural characteristic, however small, such as the grains, remains visible. The result is an extremely soft and supple leather with a natural look. Only flawless hides are processed into aniline leather, which makes this type of leather extremely valuable and also expensive.

Nubuck leather has a velvet-like finish. The leather is buffed, creating a soft, velvety and warm surface. It is highly breathable and able to wick away sweat, ensuring a high level of wearing comfort while maintaining the protective function for which leather is known. Nubuck is used in upholstered furniture, handbags, clothing, shoes, gloves and as automotive leather.

It’s all about the right care!
Leather is subject to a natural ageing process. Just like good wine, it matures and gains its own unique character over time. Delicate natural leather can be kept beautiful for a long time when treated and cared for properly.

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At Elmo, sustainability is in our DNA, all our hides are by-products from the meat and dairy industry. Our raw-materials are from the Nordic countries predominantly, compliant with strict regulations on animal welfare and traceability back to farm. None of the waste in Elmo’s leather refining process will ever end up at landfill, the waste will either be upcycled, recycled or reused as energy recovery, as per our groundbreaking and industry leading ECO-model (Elmo Circular Operating).

Capture value, choose Elmo

By upcycling an organic material made by nature, into an authentic and durable end-product with a long lifetime, we reduce the CO₂ footprint whilst maximizing the customer satisfaction. The extended product and application lifetime, generated by leathers naturally high adaptability in combination with our leading engineering capability, supports your warranty system, and increase the resale value of your vehicles. Our leather is founded on the principles of quality and durability, enabling your customers to clock up carefree miles whilst driving your customer satisfaction rates up. Be authentic, capture value, choose leather by Elmo.

Leather has been part of our lives for centuries. We are no stranger to leather bags, shoes, or belts, among others, but let’s not forget that, thanks to its unique scent, textures and patina, leather also has prestige in interior design and architecture.

Enhancing homes, offices, hotels or restaurants, leather has recovered the glamour of its past and today it is a key contender when we look at the latest trends in interior design. The British Chesterfield sofa is one of the most recognisable pieces of furniture in the world. Dating back to the 1800s, its luxury leather, deep buttoning, low back, and classic charm, are a perfect example of interior ornamentation that is very much in vogue today. But let’s go back further in time, when leather was an option chosen by many European castle owners in place of wooden floorings. Even Pope Julius III enjoyed the beauty of gilded leather walls. Our ancestors saw the versatility of leather and played with the endless possibilities it offered

Thanks to its longevity, all these applications are available to us. Leather wears and ages well, and its versatility allows it to be applied in countless spaces and places, adding a touch of luxury. Today leather offers a wide variety of options for contemporary interiors ranging from traditional aesthetics to innovative designs.

Beautiful, durable and low maintenance, it is becoming the “material par excellence” for a number of interior designers and architects. Bold or subtle accents throughout the home or office, the options are endless. Sumptuous leather wall tiles with 3D textures like geometric tessellations or gilded leather add a style statement.

Leather sofas, rugs or even headboards are bold statements, irrespective of your sense of fashion design – bohemian chic, minimalist, traditional, eclectic, contemporary or modern. Other options are also available, such as ottomans, lounge chairs, coffee tables or even curtains. Leather door and cabinet door panelling is also an attractive way of adding leather accents to the different spaces of a home or an office.

Still asking why leather?

No other material has the same appeal as leather. The look, feel, fragrance, and texture of leather is unique. It has both a masculine and feminine personality depending on the colour, the texture and the design of the piece you wish to put into your home. It is low maintenance and easily cleaned with a damp cloth. It is extremely versatile, blending in with any style of décor while adding unique aesthetics. Leather is an extremely durable natural material that ages well and endures regular wear and tear.

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In December 2020, COTANCE and IndustriAll-Europe, the European labour trade union, officially presented the new Social and Environmental Report of the European tanning industry to a wide audience of stakeholders.

The report was developed and published in the framework of a dedicated EU Social Dialogue Project (SER2020), that started in 2019 The aim of the project was to illustrate the outstanding progress made by the sector in the areas of social footprint, environmental footprint and ethics since the previous exercise in 2012.

The work started with an intensive survey amongst EU tanneries: 37 social indicators, such as contract type, age brackets, education, length of service, and 39 environmental parameters (chemicals, energy and water consumption, waste generation, removal of pollutants…) were monitored and analyzed over a 3 years reference period (2016-2018).

The exercise was challenging but very stimulating, evidencing the incredible variety of leather production segments across the 11 countries involved.
The European tanning industry offers continuous employment contracts, solid guarantees of transparent relationships, an inclusive working environment and the chance to collaborate with amazing creative industries, like fashion, design and automotive.

These conditions are the base for high staff retention and for an important increase in skills levels. Environmental performance has also shown considerable progress: circularity, efficient trend in resources consumption, removal of water pollutants, environmental investments are all elements that define a virtuous industry that aims at continuously reducing its environmental impact.

Despite the numerous attacks and an unjustified bad reputation, our sector can be proud of its contribution to the most ambitious targets set by UN Agenda 2030.
Times are difficult, but the industry’s commitment towards sustainability is stronger than ever.
For the future European Tanners will continue to focus on due diligence, safety, and the key ethical aspects regarding traceability & transparency.

Therefore, we can say loudly that European Leather …is good for you and good for the planet!

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Cotance newsletter 4 2021

Nature is “naturally” perfect. The patterns on the surface of leaves, trees, insect wings or fruits are always fascinating, especially when magnified.
However, nature can do even better; nature repairs. If a tissue is damaged, whether by an insect bite, a scratch or an infection, the injuries heal.
Yet sometimes scars occur.

Yet, illogical as it seems, people who buy leather, and who perhaps see holes in their jeans as cool and fashionable or enjoy a “used look”, perceive these scars as defects. For this reason, leathers are often sanded and given a finish so that the natural skin, with its unique individual characteristics, becomes a flawless, uniform material, like synthetic materials from industrial production

But leather only becomes truly beautiful with the small flaws, scars and colour differences, because only then can we see that it comes from nature itself, without loss in function or quality.

Let’s accept nature as it is! Let’s enjoy the natural qualities of leather!

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