LCA Study
What Is An LCA?
A Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA, is a scientific method used to measure the environmental footprint of a product throughout its entire journey.
For leather, this means looking at every stage from the origin of the raw hides and the tanning process to how the finished item is used and, eventually, what happens to it at the end of its life. Rather than focusing on a single moment in production, an LCA provides a holistic view, helping us understand how materials and processes impact the world around us. These assessments are vital tools for making informed, sustainable choices. By using clear data, the leather industry can identify exactly where improvements can be made in energy use, water recycling, and waste reduction. For the conscious consumer, an LCA offers transparency and peace of mind, proving that real leather is a durable and responsible choice that fits perfectly into a modern circular economy. It moves the conversation away from assumptions and replaces them with factual evidence about the true value and longevity of leather.
Leather Naturally's LCA Study
To provide more accurate data on the average impacts of cow leather, Leather Naturally commissioned an LCA composed of 56 different LCA studies from 6 large tanning companies across 11 different countries.
Together with Spin360, Leather Naturally published a comprehensive scientific paper in the Discover Sustainability Journal on 10th February 2025 and can be found here. The Leather Naturally Average Industry LCA considered results from Beamhouse, Tanning, Post-tanning and, Finishing facilities from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Italy, Sweden, Thailand, UK, Uruguay, USA, and Vietnam.
The study expressed the results from cradle-to-gate
(from the sourcing of raw materials to finished leather) in 8 different impact categories:
Global Warming Potential
Measures the contribution of greenhouse gas emissions to climate change, expressed in kilograms of CO2 equivalent.
Eutrophication
Evaluates the release of nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus) into water bodies, which can lead to algal blooms and oxygen depletion, harming aquatic ecosystems.
Abiotic Depletion, fossil fuels
Assesses the depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel resources, expressed in terms of theirenergy potential.
Water Use
Quantifies the total amount ofwater extracted from natural sources for a process or product, regardless of whether the water is being reused or returned.
Human Toxicity, cancer
Estimates the potential for substances to cause cancer in humans, typically expressed in comparative toxic units (CTU).
Human Toxicity, non-cancer
Measures the potential harm of substances to human health excluding cancer, expressed in comparative toxic units (CTU)
Freshwater Ecotoxicity
Evaluates the impact of chemicals on freshwater ecosystems, expressed in terms of toxic units per cubic meter (CTU/m³).
Water Consumption
Quantifies the water withdrawn from its original water source due to evaporation, incorporation into products, or transfer to other watersheds, that is not being returned and no longer available for reuse.
The Results
The results of a Life Cycle Assessment provide a detailed map of the environmental impact associated with leather production. By breaking down the data into specific stages such as tanning, finishing, and general operations, we can see exactly where resources are used most effectively.
This scientific approach allows the industry to move beyond generalisations and provide factual evidence regarding carbon footprints and water usage. It ensures that every claim about the sustainability of leather is backed by rigorous, measurable data.
These figures represent a commitment to continuous improvement and environmental responsibility. By analysing impact categories like global warming potential and water consumption, manufacturers can implement targeted strategies to reduce their footprint.
For consumers, these results provide the transparency needed to make an informed choice. They demonstrate that modern leather production is a sophisticated process that prioritises resource efficiency and supports a more sustainable, circular future for the materials we use every day.
Higg MSI
The Higg Materials Sustainability Index is a global tool used by brands to compare the environmental impact of different materials.
Historically, leather was often unfairly portrayed due to a lack of industry-specific data. However, the latest aggregated study has changed this by providing primary evidence from tanneries worldwide. The results shown in this chart highlight a significant breakthrough, proving that the actual impact of bovine leather is substantially lower than previous default figures suggested.
By moving from estimated data to verified facts, we can now provide a much more accurate picture of leather’s footprint. This updated information is vital for designers and consumers who want to make sustainable choices based on reality rather than assumptions. It demonstrates that when modern manufacturing techniques are accurately measured, leather stands out as a responsible and high-performing material. This commitment to data transparency ensures that leather continues to have a clear and honest place in the future of sustainable fashion and manufacturing.
