Artificial Intelligence
What is pvc artificial leather pu artificial leather pu synthetic leather
In China, artificial leather is commonly produced using PVC resin and is referred to as PVC artificial leather, or simply "artificial leather." When PU resin is used as the main material, it is called PU artificial leather, often abbreviated as "PU leather." Another type, made from a combination of PU resin and non-woven fabric, is known as PU synthetic leather, or simply "synthetic leather." Although the industry has not yet established a unified naming system for these materials, some people tend to refer to all three collectively as "synthetic leather." It would be beneficial to standardize the terminology for clarity and consistency.
The development of the artificial and synthetic leather industries in China has grown into a promising sector with significant market potential. These materials are now widely used in daily life, appearing in various forms such as interior decoration, sofa fabrics, car interiors, clothing, shoes, and accessories. Many people mistakenly believe that these products are made from natural leather, but in reality, a large portion of them are actually made from artificial or synthetic leather.
Artificial and synthetic leather play an important role in the plastics industry, finding applications across multiple sectors of the national economy. The production of these materials has been developed internationally for over 60 years. In China, the industry began in 1958, making it one of the earliest sectors within the plastics industry. Over the years, the industry has not only seen growth in production capacity and output but also in product variety and quality. It has also formed a strong industry network with considerable cohesion.
After PVC artificial leather, PU synthetic leather has undergone more than 30 years of intensive research and development by technical experts. As an ideal alternative to natural leather, it has achieved significant technological advancements. PU was first applied to fabric surfaces in the 1950s, and by 1964, DuPont introduced a PU synthetic leather used in shoe uppers. Following this, Japanese companies expanded production, and after two decades of innovation, PU synthetic leather experienced rapid growth in both quality and variety. Its performance is now very close to that of natural leather, and in some cases, even surpasses it, making it nearly indistinguishable from real leather in appearance and feel.
Today, Japan leads the world in synthetic leather production. Companies like Kuraray, Teijin, Toray, and Zhongfang represent the global standards of the 1990s. Their fiber and non-woven fabric technologies are evolving toward ultra-thinness, high density, and enhanced non-woven effects. Meanwhile, PU manufacturing is shifting towards dispersions and water-based emulsions, broadening the application fields beyond traditional uses like shoes and bags into areas such as clothing, sports equipment, and home decor—covering almost every aspect of daily life.
Artificial and synthetic leather have long challenged the dominance of natural leather. While natural leather has been widely used due to its superior natural properties, the growing global population has increased demand, while the supply of natural leather remains limited. To address this imbalance, scientists have been researching and developing artificial alternatives for over 50 years. This journey started with nitrocellulose lacquer and led to the creation of the first generation of PVC artificial leather. Over time, improvements were made in base materials and coating resins. By the 1970s, non-woven fabrics made from synthetic fibers were used to create a structure similar to natural leather, with porous networks that closely resemble the natural leather's internal structure.
By the late 20th century, synthetic leather had evolved to include microporous polyurethane layers on the surface, mimicking the grain of natural leather. This brought the appearance and physical properties of PU synthetic leather closer to those of natural leather, with vibrant colors and improved durability. Today, microfiber PU synthetic leather represents the third generation of artificial leather, featuring advanced non-woven structures that enable it to rival natural leather in terms of texture, comfort, and performance.
Thanks to innovations like PU slurry impregnation and open-cell surface processing, ultra-fine fiber synthetic leather exhibits moisture absorption properties similar to collagen in natural leather. It outperforms natural leather in chemical resistance, uniformity, scalability, and waterproofing. These advantages make synthetic leather a superior choice in many applications, and its use in fashion, automotive, and home décor is increasingly accepted in both domestic and international markets. With a wide range of applications, large-scale production, and diverse options, synthetic leather has become a key player in the modern materials industry.
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