What is leather tanning?
The tanning processing is a process that consists in transforming the skin (previously prepared) into leather. This operation makes it possible to go from a putrescible skin to a rot-proof material: leather.
The skins are bathed for several days in a mixture of water and tannins. These tannins can be of vegetable or mineral origin. This is why we speak of vegetable tanning and mineral tanning.
What is vegetable tanning?
Vegetable tanning is the oldest process. It requires the use of vegetable tannins such as the powdered bark of the quebrachoof mimosa or chestnut. The choice of tannins used depends on the species of animal from which the hide comes and the properties required for the leather. Vegetable tanned leathers are non-allergenic, have natural colours that will develop a patina over time. Vegetable tanning results in firmer, stiffer leathers with a softer, silkier feel. Vegetable tanning is a much slower process than mineral tanning, but above all more respectful of the environment. At RADERMECKER, we offer a range of mostly vegetable tanned leathers.
Our vegetable-tanned saddle leathers are : Niagara shoulder, Niagara half-back, Pykara, and Printed Gavarnie.
What is mineral tanning?
Mineral tanning is also called "chrome" tanning. This is the most widespread process since it represents almost 85% of tanned hides in the world. This operation is also carried out by soaking the hides in drums with mineral tannins, mainly chromium sulphate. This is a very recent process since the technique was discovered at the end of the 19th century. Mineral tanning is a faster process than vegetable tanning, requiring only a few hours of work. Mineral tanning is mainly used for leathers requiring high tensile strength and tear resistance, but it also allows for brighter colours that will not change over time.
Our mineral-tanned saddle leathers are : Angel, and Detian
Our Boyoma and Strecthed Boyoma leathers are double tanned, vegetable tanned retanned in mineral. This double tanning provides greater resistance to elongation and improved breaking strength.
