Everything You Need to Know About Pu Leather

What is Pu Leather?

PU leather, short for polyurethane leather, is a synthetic leather material made from a composite of polyurethane resin and a base material (usually a fabric or non-woven fabric). Its emergence not only addresses the shortcomings of natural leather in terms of production, price, and environmental friendliness, but also provides a wider range of options for industries such as footwear, furniture, and automotive interiors.

High-quality PU leather can closely resemble genuine leather in appearance and feel, with some microfiber PU even surpassing natural leather in detail. Its advantages include softness, wear resistance, water resistance, a variety of colors, and ease of cleaning, making it widely used in consumer goods.

Compared to genuine leather, PU leather offers a more competitive price and greater stability. It does not suffer from the varying quality of natural leather due to differences in animal origin and grain. More importantly, PU leather does not involve animal slaughter, making it more environmentally and ethically acceptable to consumers.

Pu Leather Production Process

The production process of Pu leather is a highly sophisticated one, with every step impacting the final texture and performance. Generally speaking, the production process involves the following steps:

Base Material Selection and Processing

PU leather typically uses a fabric or non-woven fabric as its base material. This layer provides stable structural support. A high-quality base material ensures that the leather resists deformation during use and offers a more natural feel.

Coating and Foaming Process

Polyurethane coating is crucial for PU leather. Common processes include the “dry” and “wet” methods.

The dry method involves applying PU resin to the base material via a blade coating. This process is simple and suitable for ordinary PU leather.

The wet method involves adding a foaming agent to the coating, which is then treated in a coagulation tank to create a microporous structure, making the leather more breathable and closer to the texture of genuine leather.

Embossing and Printing

To enhance the aesthetics of PU leather and achieve a texture similar to natural leather, high-temperature steel plates are used for embossing during production. Different molds can simulate a variety of textures, such as cowhide, sheepskin, and crocodile leather, and unique patterns can also be customized to meet customer needs.

Finishing Process

Finally, surface treatments are required, such as spraying a protective agent, dyeing, and polishing. These processes not only enhance the appearance of PU leather but also improve its abrasion resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and yellowing resistance.

Due to the complex production process, the quality of PU leather can vary greatly. This is why professional buyers pay close attention to the supplier’s craftsmanship and testing standards when purchasing.

Main Classifications and Characteristics of PU Leather

Pu leather is not a single variety; it is divided into multiple categories based on its use and performance. The following are common types:

Ordinary Pu Leather

This is the most widely used type, offering a moderate price point and suitable for shoe uppers, furniture, and some low-end luggage. Its advantages are rich colors and sophisticated craftsmanship, but its hydrolysis and yellowing resistance are average.

Microfiber Pu Leather

Microfiber Pu is currently the most similar artificial leather to genuine leather and is known as the “second generation of artificial leather.” Its fibers are micron-level in fineness, and its structure resembles the fiber network of natural leather, offering excellent strength, toughness, and breathability. Microfiber PU is widely used in high-end sports shoes, luxury car seats, and branded handbags.

Hydrolysis-Resistant PU, Yellowing-Resistant Pu

To meet the needs of certain environments, such as the humid and hot climates of Southeast Asia, ordinary PU leather is prone to hydrolysis (surface peeling and cracking). Therefore, hydrolysis-resistant PU has been developed, extending its lifespan several times. Yellowing-resistant PU is primarily used in light-colored footwear and fashionable home furnishings, effectively preventing yellowing caused by sunlight and air oxidation.

Functional Pu

With the diversification of consumer demand, functional materials such as waterproof and breathable PU, flame-retardant PU, and antibacterial PU have emerged on the market. These PU materials not only meet aesthetic requirements but also offer additional performance advantages, becoming a growing choice for brand differentiation.

Pu Leather Applications and Market Trends

PU leather has a wide range of applications, covering nearly every aspect of our lives:

Shoe Industry

This is the earliest and most important application area for PU leather. Pu is widely used in the uppers, linings, and insoles of sneakers, casual shoes, leather shoes, and sandals. It not only enhances comfort but also allows for a variety of design effects through surface treatment.

Furniture and Home Furnishings

Common household items such as sofas, dining chairs, and headboards are often made of Pu leather. Compared to genuine leather, Pu is more affordable, offers a wider range of colors, and is easier to clean and maintain.

Automotive Interiors

Modern cars are increasingly prioritizing environmental protection and comfort. Pu leather, due to its softness, wear resistance, and environmental performance, is becoming the preferred material for car seats, steering wheels, and door trims. Many luxury models even combine microfiber Pu with genuine leather in various areas.

Fashion Accessories

Pu leather is popular in handbags, wallets, belts, and other products due to its high plasticity and rich design. International fast fashion brands, in particular, prefer high-quality Pu to meet consumer demand for both environmental protection and fashion.

Market Trends

Globally, Pu leather consumption continues to grow. With stricter environmental regulations and consumer preference for animal-friendly products, Pu’s market share is expected to expand further. Demand is particularly rapid in the Asia-Pacific region.

Pu Leather Compared to Other Materials (Genuine Leather, PVC, Recycled Leather)

To help buyers better understand the advantages of PU leather, it’s helpful to compare it with several common alternatives:

Comparison with Genuine Leather

• Advantages: Pu offers lower cost, a wider range of colors, and no animal slaughter.
• Disadvantages: Durability is still not as good as top-quality genuine leather, and surface degradation may occur with prolonged use.

Comparison with PVC Leather

• Pu leather is much more breathable and softer than PVC.
• PVC is cheaper, but less environmentally friendly and has a harder feel.

Comparison with Recycled Leather

• Recycled leather is made by reprocessing leather scraps and contains some natural fibers.
• PU offers superior stability, consistent appearance, and environmental performance.

In general, Pu leather offers advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and diverse appearances, making it the most widely used artificial leather on the market.

Yudeng’s Advantages and Customization Capabilities in Pu Leather Manufacturing

As a Pu leather manufacturer with 37 years of experience, Yudeng boasts significant advantages in the industry:

Factory Experience and Technical Strength

Yudeng has many years of experience in Pu leather production, accumulating comprehensive process flows and stable production capacity. Whether using dry, wet, or microfiber processes, the factory offers precise control.

Samples and Certifications

To ensure our products meet international market requirements, Yudeng offers free sample testing and holds multiple international certifications:

• TÜV Certification: Safety and Quality Assurance
• REACH and ROHS Certification: Compliance with EU environmental standards
• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: Safe for clothing and footwear

OEM/ODM Customization Capabilities

Yudeng can customize the color, thickness, texture, and functional features of its Pu leather, such as hydrolysis resistance, mildew resistance, and fire resistance, to meet customer requirements. The factory is equipped with an advanced pattern library, enabling rapid development of new styles that align with fashion trends.

International Collaboration Case Studies

Yudeng has long-term partnerships with numerous international footwear and home furnishing brands, exporting its products to markets in Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia, earning rave reviews from customers.

When choosing Pu leather, buyers should consider the specific application:

• Shoes: Hydrolysis and yellowing resistance are key.
• Furniture: Color, feel, and wear resistance are key.
• Automotive: High strength, breathability, and environmental friendliness are key.
• Fashion accessories: A balance between design and softness is crucial.

For first-time buyers, starting with small batches of samples can help build trust in the supplier. For long-term collaborations, suppliers should provide consistent quality control and third-party testing reports.

As a professional Pu leather factory, Yudeng not only offers a broad product selection but also offers OEM/ODM services, helping customers stand out in the competitive market.