Faqs

Are cows, sheep or goats bred for their skins?

Not at all. Leather has been a by-product of our food chain since prehistoric times. As long as we consume meat, making leather is a way of recycling animal waste…

Is leather a sustainable material?

Yes, the impact of leather manufacturing is currently very low due to the extensive environmental controls in place, such as the reuse of waste water. What’s more, because of leather’s great strength and durability, the amount of waste generated is much lower than artificial leathers for instance. Finally, if the waste generated by the meat industry were not used to make leather, there would be a huge surplus of these hides that would go straight to waste.

Is leather recycled and recyclable?

In both cases, yes. On the one hand, we transform leather into a noble material that would otherwise be wasted for disposal. On a global scale, meat consumption generates 7 million tonnes of leather a year. On the other hand, for years now, thanks to technology, many materials and composites have been made from leftover leather, for example to make belts or shoe soles.

Is leather biodegradable?

Yes, unlike petroleum-based imitations, leather is an entirely natural product. As a result, genuine leather decomposes much more quickly under the action of bacteria and fungi than artificially manufactured imitation leather.

Is leather environmentally friendly?

Yes, naturally. It is a renewable, biodegradable and, with the help of new technologies, environmentally friendly.

Can vegan leather, imitation leather, artificial leather, etc. be considered real leather?

No! These are alternative materials of various compositions: polyurethane, plastic agglomerates, polyester, leather leftovers, etc. Calling these materials leather is a contradiction in terms and a simple advertising ploy. According to the law on product designation in many countries, a product can only be considered genuine leather or fur if 100% of its structure is made of animal origin.

What are the different finishes and qualities of leather?

Finish types
Just like wood, there are various varnishes applied to leather, called anilines, retaining the natural origin of the leather. Semi-aniline leather has a light surface coating which contains a small amount of pigment. This ensures consistent colour and increased wearability. Pigmented leather has a clear topcoat with pigments to hide the natural blemishes.

Differences between the 2 major quality types:

FULL GRAIN The grain remains in its natural state.
• Natural breathability.
• Adapts to body and room temperatures.
• Recovers after being used.
• Warm feel.
• Noble ageing.
• Natural patina over the years.
• Durability.

TOP GRAIN The surface has been sanded and refinished.
• Loses its natural aspect.
• Even aspect.
• Good cutting yield.

What is the cutting scheme of a bovine hide?

A-B-C areas to be cut
cutting-scheme-of-a-bovine

How to clean the leather?

Leather is easily cleanable with lukewarm water and a cloth.
All the leather provided by the brand ANTIC-CUIR get an anti-stain finish applied during the tanning process. However it is always important to consider that we are using a natural product that can get damaged by its own use.

It is highly recommended
• To avoid long sun exposures and important temperature changes.
Moreover, to avoid excessive damage due to the natural ageing of the leather or due to an accident, we recommend the nutrition of the material 4 to 5 times a year, using specific or neutral products that cannot damage the leather.
If by accident you do make a stain, it is highly recommended to remove the mark immediately and gently (no scrubbing) with specific products, working in circles. You should then dry the leather with a soft cloth.

In any case, it is better to try the product on a non visible part of your sofa (always use specific non-greasy leather cleaning products).

We strongly advise you the following
• Do not use any steam cleaners.
• Do not dry clean the leather either. Dry cleaning includes the use of
solvents which get rid of most stains in fabrics, but which would also
get rid of the leather finish, generating an early deterioration of the
leather.
• Do not use any body moisturizers, window cleaning products, etc.