Leather is produced by tanning animal skins. Besides its attractive outer appearance leather distinguishes itself by numerous valuable properties: a high water vapor permeability and good haptic properties which make it comfortable to wear. Therefore, leather products like clothes, bags or furniture are highly appreciated.
The demands towards its functional properties like scratch resistance and light fastness, hydrophobic and dirt repellent characteristics are, however, steadily increasing. In spite of this, the natural character of leather has to be preserved. But even high quality leather does not meet these requirements in all respects.
