Leather
A step further in the leather sourcing
Since launching the VEJA project, we've been working our way back up the leather production chain and focusing on two major ways of improving it: traceability and chemical transparency. We know where it comes from and what's in it.
The bovine leather we use at VEJA comes from farms in Uruguay, a country known for its culture of animal husbandry and the quality of its leather.
It is tanned in Brazil, without using any hazardous or prohibited chemicals.
VEJA uses conventional dyes that comply with regulations. Special attention is paid to water usage during the tanning process.
All the tanneries supplying VEJA leather, ChromeFree leather, suede, and nubuck are Gold certified by the Leather Working Group which promotes sustainable environmental practices.
The Leather Working Group (L.W.G.) is an independent group of tanneries and manufacturers. They work on sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of the leather. To ensure the chrome doesn't turn into the toxic chrome VI, we perfom random checks all years long to monitor the level of chrome in our leathers.
Tanned leather
Porto Alegre, 2011
© Cédric Alliot
What is vegetable tanning, exactly?
Drying the hides after tanning
What is vegetable tanning, exactly?
© Photo Cédric Amiot
From 2008 to 2015, 100% VEJA leather was vegetable-tanned leather. Since 2015, the prohibitive costs and quality level have convinced us to turn back.
All of our leathers are now tested and the dyes we use in both types of leather comply with regulations without using dangerous or prohibited chemicals, they do not contain any chrome VI.
Tannerie
Porto Alegre, 2013
© Studio VEJA
ChromeFree
leather
© Studio VEJA
The bovine ChromeFree leather is smooth and light. Coming from farms located in the south of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), it undergoes an innovative tanning process where no chrome, heavy metals, or dangerous acids are involved.
By simplifying the tanning process, the use of chemicals and energy is limited. Water use is reduced by approximately 40% and salt by 80%. After tanning, the water is recyclable.
