From land to leather: how we produce our organic leather
For our leather production, we only source hides from animals raised on regenerative, organic or Demeter-certified farms in Switzerland or Germany, ensuring that they have lived a good life. These hides are tanned in local tanneries using only natural extracts from renewable raw materials. We consequently avoid the use of environmentally harmful chemicals throughout our process. We are committed to environmental, ethical and fair production standards, from sustainable farming practices to the finished leather product.
We firmly believe that tackling climate change and pollution requires not only reduced production, but also increased localisation. Our close proximity to all our partners enables us to maintain constant control over production processes and foster strong relationships. This approach supports regional resource use, boosts local economies and minimises our environmental footprint.
Agriculture
We enable farmers to use their animals more holistically - nose to tail. About 50% of a farm animal's meat is intended for human consumption. The other half is processed into products such as gelatine, cosmetics (collagen), pet food or biodiesel. The hide makes up about 8% of an animal's composition, but its value is typically less than 0-1% - which is why it is often discarded.
We process hides from a variety of animals, including goats, sheep, and suckler cows. Working closely with farmers, we ensure the collection and preservation of hides, preventing unnecessary waste. We coordinate the collection of hides to facilitate centralized storage or direct processing at the tannery.
We pay a fair price for the hides, recognising not only the value of the hide as a resource, but also providing an additional source of income for the farmers. On request, we can produce leather or leather products for the farmers to use or sell.
Conservation
The hide of a living animal is protected from rotting. However, this changes from the time of slaughter. Bacterial infestation of the hide occurs immediately. To prevent the hide from rotting and irreversibly damageing to the finished leather, it should be properly preserved after removal from the animal's body.
We assist all our partners in the proper preservation and storage of hides and skins until they are ready for collection. Periodically, these hides and skins are collected from and transported directly to one of our partner tanneries.
Tanning
We work with a number of tanneries in Germany, depending on the specific properties required for the finished leather. For garment leather, we work with a Portuguese tannery due to limited regional alternatives. We carefully select and regularly visit all our partners to ensure they meet strict environmental, social and legal standards.
Tanning raw hides into finished leather is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process that requires a great deal of skill and manual labour. From dehairing to finishing, a tanner holds the hide or leather in his hand an average of 40 times.
Tanning is the crucial process in the production of leather to stabilise the hide and prevent degradation. The choice of tanning method depends on the desired end product. We prioritise environmental and social standards throughout our leather production process and vegetable tanning is our preferred method. This process uses tanning agents derived from renewable plant sources such as extracts from wood, bark and tree fruits.
Our leather is skin-friendly, breathable, open-pored and pure. Rather than hide its natural characteristics, we celebrate its uniqueness. Small traces of nature are left visible, giving each piece its own distinctive identity.
Manufactories
We have a large network of saddleries, fine tailors, shoemakers and manufacturers in Germany and Switzerland who can make products for us - from one-offs and small series to larger orders. For leather garments we work with a partner company in Portugal, as there are no longer any sewing factories in our region with the necessary expertise.
Upon request, we assist our customers with product design and development. For this purpose, we collaborate with experienced freelancers who have extensive backgrounds in the leather industry.