artificial leather

material

Also known as: faux leather, imitation leather, pleather

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Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

Artificial leather, also known as faux leather, imitation leather, or pleather, is a material designed to resemble genuine leather. It is typically made by coating fabrics with substances like polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride, or by using nitrocellulose-infused cotton fabrics.

This material offers advantages over real leather, including a lower cost and less labor-intensive production. Additionally, ethical concerns regarding animal welfare in the leather industry have increased the demand for artificial leather substitutes. It is widely used in fashion items such as handbags, shoes, and clothing, as well as for upholstery and automobile covers.12

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leather
Artificial leather
Some of the earliest leather substitutes were invented in the 19th century. Nitrocellulose (guncotton) was developed by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1845 and was later turned into collodion (pyroxylin) in 1846 by French scientist Louis-Nicolas Ménard. Collodion was used as a…
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Some of the earliest leather substitutes were invented in the 19th century. Nitrocellulose (guncotton) was developed by German chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1845 and was later turned into collodion (pyroxylin) in 1846 by French scientist Louis-Nicolas Ménard. Collodion was used as a…
Read More