PU (polyurethane) and Vegan Leather (pure leather or vegan leather) can both be considered artificial leather in a broad sense, but they have some differences in composition, characteristics, and environmental friendliness. Here is a detailed comparison.
PU Leather
Vegan Leather
1. Differences in ingredients
PU (polyurethane):
It is a man-made synthetic material mainly made of polyurethane.
It is widely used to make various artificial leather products, such as mobile phone cases, bags, clothing, etc.
Vegan Leather (pure vegan leather or vegetarian leather):
It is an artificial leather that emphasizes that it does not contain any animal ingredients and animal products.
The sources of raw materials are diverse, which can be imitation leather mainly based on plant fibers, or synthetic leather made of other non-animal materials.
Among them, vegan leather with plant fibers as the main raw material (such as leather made from plants such as pineapple leaves, apples, mushrooms, grapes, etc.) has received more and more attention in recent years.
2. Differences in characteristics
PU:
High strength, thin and elastic, soft and smooth.
Good breathability and water permeability, and waterproof.
Good light aging resistance and hydrolysis resistance stability.
The appearance and performance are close to natural leather, but there are still differences in details.
Vegan Leather:
The characteristics vary depending on the raw materials and manufacturing processes.
Vegan leather made from plant fibers is usually environmentally friendly, sustainable and renewable.
Some vegan leathers may have a similar feel and appearance to genuine leather, but they may also be different.
3. Environmental Differences
PU:
Ordinary solvent PU leather may contain substances that are harmful to the human body and the environment (such as DMF, etc.), but water-based PU leather (PUD water-based polyurethane) is relatively environmentally friendly and does not contain toxic solvents.
In general, the environmental friendliness of PU depends on its manufacturing process and the raw materials used.
Vegan Leather:
It emphasizes that it does not contain any animal ingredients and animal products, which is in line with the concept of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Vegan leather made from plant fibers can usually reduce the discharge of wastewater and exhaust gas during the production process, reducing pollution to the environment.
4. Price difference
PU leather price：
The price range of PU leather is relatively wide, ranging from a few yuan to tens of yuan per square meter. The specific price depends on the following factors:
Thickness: Generally speaking, thicker PU leather has a relatively higher price.
Texture and appearance: PU leather with special texture and appearance (such as imitation crocodile pattern, snake pattern, etc.) may be more expensive.
Usage: PU leather used for high-end luggage, clothing and other products usually has a higher price.
In the market, various price ranges of PU leather can be found, and consumers can choose according to their own needs and budget.
Vegan Leather Price：
The price of vegan leather also varies due to various factors, but it is usually higher than traditional leather or some high-end PU leather. Here are some factors that affect the price of Vegan Leather:
Raw materials: The price of vegan leather mainly made from plant fibers may vary due to the scarcity of raw materials and production costs.
Manufacturing process: High end vegan leather has complex manufacturing processes and relatively high prices.
Brand: Pure vegan leather products from well-known brands are usually priced higher because they may place more emphasis on quality and design.
With the increasing attention of consumers to environmental protection and sustainability, the market demand for vegan leather is also increasing, which may lead to price increases.
