In recent years, sustainable leather solutions have become an increasingly popular topic of conversation. But what sets Ecotan® apart? It’s not just another innovation; it’s a game-changer. Developed with a biocircular approach, Ecotan® is designed from the very beginning to have a second life, creating a truly sustainable leather that is as good for the planet as it is for consumers. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Ecotan® (www.ecotanleather.com) revolutionary. This system does not use chromium, glutaraldehyde, or any hazardous substances listed on the MRSL, and is 100% metal-free. In addition to being transformable into fertilizer for organic farming at the end of its life, Ecotan® leather is now also biodegradable in compost.

With all these remarkable qualities, why continue researching and developing a tanning system that is already highly effective and widely recognized? We posed this question to Alessandra Taccon, BU Leather Ecotan® Project Director, starting from the beginning.

Let’s remind everyone: What is Ecotan®?

“Ecotan® is an innovative technology developed by Silvateam to produce a new type of leather with excellent performance standards, fully biocircular, safe for both humans and the planet. It’s leather with a purpose, as we like to say. Tanned with natural tannins, Ecotan® leather is free of harmful substances and represents a naturally healthy material for the consumer, enhancing its origin. At the end of its useful life, it returns to nature by transforming into fertilizer for organic farming, biostimulants, or other soil nutrients. Additionally, we have recently obtained certification for Ecotan®’s compostability, which reaches 100% degradation within 45 days. For this reason, Ecotan® is part of an infinite cycle that perfectly blends with nature.”