Apple Inc’s recent announcement that it was doing away with leather in phone cases, watchbands and more, caused quite a bit of discomfit sending vegan activists into a riotous tizzy and the talk in those circles was all about sounding the death knell for leather. We spoke to some top leather honchos to know if at all the move will impact the leather industry. [Read the earlier commentary on this subject here]
Luis A Zugno; Executive Secretary of the IULTCS (International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies): The volume of leather used in Apple products is not important. Apple says that “leather has a significant carbon footprint” and this is enough to ditch leather. In my opinion they are only looking at one of the parameters of sustainability and not the whole; and maybe there is a hidden agenda behind it. For sure, the secondary market will quickly take advantage of using leather to fulfill the need for premium, long-lasting protection for phones and watches. Possibly here is the case that leather wins and Apple loses.
We should work together to produce better materials for today and the future, replacing the oil-based and micro (and nano) plastic generators. Proper tools need to be developed to fully understand the total impact of each material on the environment, people, and economy. Ditching the leather is not the solution. Why can’t we all work together on science-based data and not on emotional and political based opinions?
Debbie Burton; Director of Marketing and Operations, Leather Naturally: It (the Apple decision) is significant in that, for all the progress we are making, there is still work to be done fostering a deeper understanding of how leather can be part of the solution for a more sustainable future.
It is a coincidence, but timely that recently Leather Naturally launched its campaign dedicated to the longevity, reparability, and circularity of leather. Featuring iconic products, interviews, repair stories and inspirational comment from designers and influencers it focuses on why leather is such an important choice for the contribution it can make in reducing impact through the creation of long-lasting, repairable products.
An observation often made is that the combination of sleek tech with beautifully tactile leather at the touch points makes for something uniquely comfortable and lovely to use, so ultimately the lesson will be in the hands of the customers. If they don’t like the new material, they won’t buy it, and with many third-party providers, including Hermes continuing to make and sell leather accessories for Apple products, consumers will still have a choice.
Joseph Ondari Nyakundi; Leather scientist and technologist, Leather Research Laboratory: Apple is a globally recognised brand with a massive consumer base. Apple phasing out leather from its products will substantially impact the market, causing shifts in supply chains affecting suppliers and manufacturers.
Such a decision was likely driven by misinformation about leather's sustainability and environmental impact.
The increasing importance of adopting sustainable practices and materials to meet evolving consumer preferences and environmental regulations should be the reason to choose leather, not the contrary.
Sustainably produced leather is one of the most eco-friendly and natural materials, offering unmatched versatility, durability, and reparability. The leather industry should continue to undo the consumer misinformation that has existed for years by providing scientifically proven data on the environmental impact of leather and increasing transparency in its production and material sourcing systems.
Vasan Suri; Business Development Manager, India's Alina Pvt Ltd: Because it is Apple making a statement, it drew attention and created news. It is no big loss for the leather industry. Apple phones are handheld and soon the alternative products will push them to go back for leather. Apple has just tried to use the present emotion of the people to show them as moving away from one product to another product. Leather will not be affected broadly, but there might be a temporary setback.
The first lesson is that challenges would always be there. It opens up a new opportunity. Second, never be happy and content with one brand. Keep up the innovation to counter future market conditions.
But, leather will regain its position soon. The true nature of the leather industry will come up after this heavy onslaught. We all have seen many such challenges in the past. Leather will become more innovative and colourful with fresh designs and marketing insights. Leather is a product of nature and if not consumed it would pose a tough situation for the environment. The skins and hides are just the waste and by products of the meat industry. Meat eating will not stop and leather will be the king.
