Sustainability
The environmental impact of leather is largely determined by the manufacturing process. That’s why Tiger Leather only partners with tanneries that utilize the most environmentally-conscious manufacturing processes in the leather industry.
The following areas of leather manufacturing have the most significant potential impact on the environment.
MANAGEMENT OF RESTRICTED SUBSTANCES
Tiger Leather’s tannery has a chemical-physical purification plant that performs a pre-treatment of the waste waters before re-introducing them into the management system. The plant’s and tannery’s onsite purification systems are periodically subject to preventive maintenance in order to ensure functionality.
AIR EMISSIONS
Tiger Leather only uses water-based and water-soluble finishes. Tiger Leather products are Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) certifiable-ready and can help toward earning the Low-Emitting Materials / Systems Furniture and Seating LEED credit (1 point).
WASTE MANAGEMENT (HAZARDOUS AND NON-HAZARDOUS)
Tiger Leather’s proprietary tannery utilizes a water purifying and recycling facility that was built on tannery grounds. The laboratory controls waste water to ensure that the strictest Eurozone compliance standards are met. Additionally, the lab systems are routinely analyzed to limit potential impact on the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Tiger Leather inspects its hides for chemical compliance and the quality levels set forth in the Quality Control (QC) regulations. Outgoing products are tested according to the strict protocols of Quality Control. Leather ‘Made in Italy’ serves as a warranty for consumers that they are purchasing a top grade product free of harmful chemicals and compatible with social and environmental equity.
CONTROL OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Tiger Leather is committed to reducing the presence of chemicals in the manufacturing process. No solvent-based products are used in the finishing process so that only a natural product is produced. The tannery is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified – these are among the highest certifications that a tannery can receive for responsible manufacturing.
CHROME MANAGEMENT
Tiger Leather recycles the Chromium (III) salts used in the tanning process.
TRACEABILITY OF MATERIAL
For quality assurance, Tiger Leather’s tannery inspects all purchased materials. Add to that, several phases of its own industrial process are monitored from both the managerial and technical points of view. Lastly, all manufactured hides are carefully examined. In order to perform suitable QC, Tiger’s tannery incorporated an internal chemical / physical laboratory that is ICEC/TS 406 certified.
ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY PRACTICES
− Biodegradable wetting agents for soaking
− Reduced sulfide processing
− Non-synthetic or polymeric retannage systems
− Optimized dyestuffs
− Vegetable oil-based fatliquors
− Improved finishing systems to reduce waste
RAW MATERIALS
Please be advised, the raw materials used by Tiger Leather are a byproduct of the beef industry. No cow is harvested for the hide alone. Tiger Leather reserves the right to change materials without notice, but will always and relentlessly pursue goods and services that comply with the strictest sustainability standards in the industry.