"Tanneries" are responsible for the process of turning the raw material "skin" into the "leather" that will be used to make products. They wash, tan, color, and process the skin to suit each product. This time, we visited the tannery "LUFURAN" in Tuscany, Italy.
Our encounter with LUFURAN began when the company liked the leather brought in by a client and introduced us to a tanner who we had no plans to use at the time.
LUFURAN uses a method called aldehyde tanning , which is only used by a few companies in Italy, and is environmentally friendly while maintaining quality at a high cost. This method gives Cisei products their unique texture.
Now, thanks to the mutual trust that has been built up over the years, we are good partners.
Our guide was Ms. Carla, one of the company's representatives, who has a cute smile. This factory has been using the traditional tanning method, aldehyde tanning, which uses natural materials, for many years. Chrome tanning, which was developed later and punished the industry for its convenience, became a problem due to its environmental pollution, but now this factory, which has continued to protect its traditions, is attracting attention again.
The factory is spacious and bright, and appears to be highly mechanized.
On the other side of the fence there are large drums like these, where the products are washed, colored, and otherwise processed according to their product.
However, because the skin is from a living creature, there are differences between each individual piece, and the work is also affected by humidity and temperature, so delicate human sensibilities and skilled knowledge are essential.
Watching human hands carefully supervise each and every step carried out by machine, it all made sense to me that this is how leather is made - the value of obtaining the leather, the long history of its use, the convenience, richness and warmth that leather products bring to life, and the attachment you feel as you use them.
