The global diversity of Durli leathers is the source of the excellent quality of the products supplied to the automotive, furniture, footwear and artifacts industries in the Brazilian, European, Latin American, US and Asian markets.
Undeniably, the development of technological and scientific research has contributed to the improvement of techniques and the genetic improvement, management and nutrition of livestock all over the world.
As a result, in addition to the meat industry, the leather sector, its by-product, has a lot to gain from these advances.
On the other hand, concerns about environmental protection have also led to the emergence of new products and processes for pre-tanning, tanning and retanning, as well as modern systems for monitoring the origin of cattle and their direct and indirect suppliers.
This is the backdrop to the global diversity of Durli leather, combining tradition and innovation at every stage of its production.
To do this, Durli Leathers uses leather from the following countries and regions of the world:
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- Leather from Brazil;
- Leather from the United States;
- Leather from Mexico;
- Northern European leather;
- Leather from Uruguay.
Global diversity of Durli leathers: Brazilian Leather
Brazil has the largest commercial herd in the world, exports more than 2 billion dollars a year to 80 countries and employs more than 30,000 people. Brazilian leather has both qualitative and quantitative status, as the country is one of the largest producers in the world, with a strong presence in the furniture, footwear and automotive segments.
Specifically in the automotive upholstery sector, Brazilian leather is the world's best seller, followed by North American leather.
Durli Leathers produces Brazilian leather, which is characterized by its resistance, durability and sustainability. Brazilian leather has an average surface area of 5 m2 and is very competitively priced. Around 90% of Brazilian leather comes from the Nelore and Brahman breeds with termite and 10% from the European Angus and Hereford breeds, which are bred in the Bagé and Livramento-RS region. Around 20% of the hides are full grain and 80% are correct grain.
For all these reasons, Brazilian leather makes a significant contribution to the global diversity of Durli leathers.
Global diversity of Durli leathers: Leather from the United States
Durli Leathers produces leathers of North American origin. Without a doubt, the best quality leather comes from the United States. The country provides the largest amount of leather each year, from the Angus and Hereford breeds. The average area of North American leather is 4.6 m2, and it comes in the form of full grain leather.
North American leathers are certainly part of the global diversity of Durli leathers.
North American leathers are multi-purpose, for the automotive and furniture markets, as well as for footwear and artifacts.
Global diversity of Durli leathers: Northern European leather
Today, part of Durli's production comes from Northern European leathers.
European leather, especially Northern European leather, is the finest and noblest leather in the world, from the Simental, Charolais and Limousin breeds. It has the largest average size, recognized worldwide, with a minimum area of 5.8 m2. They are full grain leathers.
Leather from Mexico: The emerging Mexican leather market also makes up the global diversity of Durli leathers
Leather production in Mexico dates back to the ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations.
Later, in the 16th century, European colonizers introduced new techniques and materials.
For centuries, leather products have remained highly luxurious items. Mexican merchants and craftsmen developed specialized techniques for working the skins and their products were appreciated for a long time, both in Mexico and abroad.
However, in the 1970s, due to pressure from certain sectors of society, the natural leather industry suffered a considerable decline.
The leather industry in Mexico is currently making a comeback. Designers and artisans are looking for new ways to work with sustainable materials in an ethical way.
In addition, leather from Mexico is excellent value for money, with a wide range of classes and uses - automotive, furniture, footwear and artifacts - with the Nelore and Brahman breeds being the most common, with and without termites.
In general, Mexican leathers are full grain and correct grain and have an average area of 4.2 m2.
Global diversity of Durli leathers: Leather from Uruguay
Durli Leathers also produces Uruguayan leather. Uruguayan leather comes from cattle of the European Angus and Hereford breeds, with genetic improvement developed in the country over 30 years ago. The hides of these breeds are termite-free. Their average area is 4.2 m2. Around 50% of the production is destined for full grain and 50% for correct grain.
The pores of Uruguayan hides are finer, which makes them ideal for leather with a more natural finish. They are especially sought after by the shoe and luxury handbag industries.
Global diversity of Durli leathers: Paraguayan leather
In addition to Uruguayan leather, Durli Leathers's Paraguay unit also produces local leather. Paraguayan leather comes mostly from zebu breeds or crosses with Angus and Braford breeds, and is around 40% termite-free, with a specific texture and density. This leather is known for being lighter, with an average area of 4.8 m², making it ideal for applications such as plastered and sanded leather, with corrected grain. In addition, Paraguayan leather stands out for the quality of its finish and its resistance, benefiting from proper cattle management and the sustainable production practices adopted in the country. It is also an economical option, with a good cost-benefit ratio, offering quality at a competitive price on the international market, which makes it an attractive choice for various sectors of the leather industry, such as upholstery, footwear and artifacts.
The global diversity of leathers according to their country of origin and type of cattle
The internationally renowned organization Leather Naturally has published an exhaustive material entitled Modern Manufacture of Vacum Leather, i.e. leather of bovine origin. It contains the following graphic:
Brazilian leather
Nelore
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Nelore leather tends to have a coarse grain, due to the resistance of the skin of these animals adapted to the tropical climate.
- Texture: The texture is less uniform, with a rougher surface.
Thickness:
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- Medium to thick thickness for high durability.
Flexibility:
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- Less flexible than leather from European breeds, but still suitable for a variety of applications.
Color and finish:
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- Naturally light to medium in color.
- It can be dyed, but often retains a natural, rustic appearance.
United States and Brazil
Angus
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Fine -grained leather with a smooth, even texture.
- Texture: Highly prized for its softness and aesthetic quality.
Thickness:
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- Medium thickness, offering durability without compromising flexibility.
Flexibility:
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- High flexibility, ideal for clothing, fashion accessories and high-quality products.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Naturally light to medium color.
- Finishing: Finishing can be very refined, with a soft touch and luxurious appearance.
United States, Mexico and Brazil
Hereford
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Medium to fine-grained leather with a generally smooth texture.
- Texture: Known for its resistance and uniform quality.
Thickness:
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- Medium thickness, offering a good balance between durability and flexibility.
Flexibility:
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- Moderately flexible, suitable for a variety of leather products, including furniture and accessories.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Naturally light-colored, easily dyed.
- Finish: Can be smooth or textured, depending on the tanning process.
Northern Europe
Simental
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Simental leather from Switzerland tends to have a medium to coarse grain, depending on the age and handling of the animal.
- Texture: It is known for its uniform texture and durability.
Thickness:
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- Generally, leather is thicker and more resistant, which makes it suitable for products that require high durability, such as upholstery and heavy leather goods.
Flexibility:
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- Moderately supple, not as soft as dairy leathers, but still useful for a variety of applications.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Naturally light in color, it can easily be dyed in a variety of colors.
- Finish: Can have a smooth or textured finish, depending on processing.
Charolais
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Charolais leather, originally from France, has a fine to medium grain, with a smooth and uniform texture.
- Texture: It is valued for its aesthetic appearance and soft touch.
Thickness:
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- They tend to be less thick than Simental leather, providing a good combination of durability and flexibility.
Flexibility:
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- More flexible than Simental leather, ideal for clothing, accessories and items that require a softer leather.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Naturally light, allowing for easy coloring.
- Finish: The finish can vary, but is often smooth and luxurious.
Limousine
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Limousine leather, also originating in France, has a medium grain, with a texture that can vary from soft to slightly textured.
- Finish: It is known for its superior quality and consistency.
Thickness:
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- Similar to Charolais, but can vary depending on the age and management of the animals.
Flexibility:
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- Moderately flexible, suitable for a wide range of leather products, including clothing and fashion accessories.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Also light in color, which makes it easier to dye.
- Finish: The finish is often of high quality, with a soft touch and refined aesthetic appearance.
Durability: All these breeds produce durable leather, but the Simental is generally the most resistant due to its thickness.
Processing:The quality of leather can be significantly influenced by post-slaughter processing, including tanning and finishing methods.
Use: Depending on their flexibility and finish, these leathers can be used in a variety of products, from furniture and upholstery (Simental) to clothing and fashion accessories (Charolais and Limousin).
Uruguay
Angus
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Fine to medium.
- Texture: Smooth and uniform, similar to Angus from the United States and Brazil.
- Aesthetic quality: Highly prized for its softness and consistency.
Thickness:
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- Medium: Offers a good combination of durability and flexibility.
Flexibility:
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- High flexibility: Ideal for clothing, fashion accessories and high-quality products.
- Use: Widely used in articles that require soft, supple leather.
Color and finish:
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- Color: Light to medium, allowing easy coloring.
- Finish: Refined, with a soft touch and luxurious appearance, which may vary depending on the tanning method.
Hereford
Texture and Grain:
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- Grain: Medium to fine.
- Texture: Generally smooth and uniform, with remarkable resistance.
- Aesthetic quality: Known for its uniform quality and resistance.
Thickness:
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- Medium: Offers durability without sacrificing flexibility.
Flexibility:
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- Moderately flexible: Suitable for a wide range of leather products, including furniture and accessories.
- Use: Versatile, used for both clothing and more durable items.
Color and finish:
- Color: Light, easily dyed.
- Finish: Can vary from smooth to textured, depending on processing.
Regional considerations
Climate: Uruguay's temperate climate and natural pastures contribute to the quality of the leather, providing ideal conditions for the healthy growth of the cattle.
Management: Cattle in Uruguay are often raised in extensive grazing systems, which can influence the quality of the skin.
These characteristics make leather from the Angus and Hereford breeds in Uruguay highly valued on the market, and ideal for a wide range of products that require both aesthetics and durability.
Paraguay
Durli Leathers: Quality without Borders
In short, the wide range of types of cattle, their uses and their countries of origin put Durli at the forefront of leather production not only in Brazil.
Its borderless quality of leathers produced in eight plants in Brazil, one in Paraguay and one in Mexico, recognized by certifications such as LWG and ISO 9001, supplies the furniture, automotive, footwear and artifacts industries around the world with safety and excellence.
Contact us and bring all the global diversity of Durli leathers to your company!
Sources and references used:
1 - https://blog.agromove.com.br/gado-de-corte/
2 - http://www.euroleather.com/socialreporting/ESERFrench.pdf