What is PVC Leather? Its Types, Pros, Cons, and How it's Made

Table of Contents

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a type of synthetic leather and it is an artificial leather which looks like real leather and it feels quite good when you use it. Its principle is simple, a plastic coating (Polyvinyl Chloride) is pasted on a strong fabric base (polyester or cotton), which makes it waterproof, durable and easy-to-maintain.

It is extremely strong, waterproof, and affordable. That is why it is famous everywhere, from car seats to clothes. This material is flexible as well as tough, meaning it can be used according to your needs.

It has a little chemical flavor which makes it so versatile. And the biggest thing, it is budget-friendly and long-lasting, so people use it frequently.

The style and durability of PVC leather is absolutely excellent. If you want to buy faux leather sofa, car seats, bags, jackets or shoes, then this is the best choice because its look is premium, price is low, and there is zero hassle of maintenance.

Meaning you will enjoy the ultimate look of real leather that will also be pocket-friendly. And yes, you will also get different colors and designs in it which are difficult to find in real leather.

What is PVC Leather?

As you already know that the real leather is very expensive and not everyone can afford it for daily use. So, the scientist has found a new solution which is PVC Leather! This is a synthetic leather, which gives the feel of real leather.

The real scene of PVC leather is that it is a great combo of polyvinyl chloride and fabric. By adding plastic coating to it, it is given a leather-like look. It is waterproof, lightweight, and durable, and the best part is that it is not expensive either!

It is mostly used in sofas, car seats, jackets, bags, belts, and shoes. Sometimes people also call it “faux leather” or “artificial leather”. And yes, it is maintenance free, meaning just clean it with water, that’s it!

Types of PVC Leather

Leather also comes in different types, not just original and fake, but PVC leather also has different versions. Consider these types:

Pvc leather types, vegan leather jacket, faux leather handbags, shoes

1. Normal PVC Leather

This is the basic version in which a layer of PVC is glued on top of a fabric base.

It is waterproof and low-maintenance.
It is mostly used in bags, belts, and shoes.

2. Semi-PU PVC Leather

It is a mix of PVC and polyurethane (PU).
It gives a slightly soft feel and is breathable.
It is best for jackets, furniture and car interiors.

3. High-Grade PVC Leather

This is the premium version which is more smooth and long-lasting.
It is used in luxury car seats and branded products.
It is a little expensive, but is cheaper than real leather.

4. Recycled PVC Leather

This is an environment-friendly version, in which new leather is made by recycling old PVC materials.
Sustainable and pollution reducing option.
Mostly eco-friendly brands use it.

Got it? Now let’s move on to the real thing – How is PVC leather made?

How is Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Leather Made?

This is not a simple task. PVC leather is made in a very scientific way, that happens in the factory through chemical processing and machinery. For better understand, take a look at these steps:

How pvc leather is made, pvc leather manufacturing process

1. Preparing the base fabric

First of all a strong fabric is chosen, like cotton, polyester or nylon.

This fabric is the base of leather, which supports the whole material.

2. Making PVC paste

This is a part of extreme chemicals! PVC resin, plasticizers, stabilizers and pigments are mixed to prepare a thick paste.

This paste forms the top layer of the leather, which gives it a waterproof and smooth look.

3. Coating

The PVC paste prepared is spread evenly on the fabric.

This process is very precise, so that the texture of the leather is perfect.

4. Heat treatment

After this, it is heated at high temperature so that the PVC and fabric stick together properly.

This step is important, because this gives the final finish to the leather.

5. Embossing (Texture making)

Designs are made on it with special rollers to give the feel of real leather.

This process is embossing It is said, and this gives the PVC leather the look of real leather.

6. Giving finishing touches

In the last step, the color and shine of the leather is adjusted.

Sometimes matte finish, sometimes glossy look is given, whatever is required.

That’s it and now you understand how PVC leather is made! This is a top-class technology and chemical work.

PVC vs PU Leather – Which is More Reliable?

You already know the name of leather? But here we are not talking about real leather, here we are comparing PVC and PU leather. Both are synthetic leather, meaning it is a affordable and animal-friendly alternative to real leather. But, there is a huge difference between PVC and PU leather.

Pvc leather jacket, shoes, leggings, pants manufacturing in the company

PVC leather is made from polyvinyl chloride, which is a plastic-based material. It has a plastic coating on the fabric, which makes it waterproof and durable. On the other hand, PU leather is made from polyurethane, which is more flexible and breathable, meaning it allows air to pass through and feels a little soft.

But the differences are not just this, understand it in full detail:

1. Material and Manufacturing Process

PVC Leather: It is made by sticking a mix of polyvinyl chloride on the fabric. It contains plasticizers and stabilizers that make it hard and waterproof.

PU Leather: It has a base fabric that is coated with a layer of polyurethane. It feels softer and more like natural leather.

2. Durability and Lifespan

PVC Leather: It is extremely solid and tough, no tension even from scratches and water. But it can crack or peel with time.

PU Leather: It is more flexible and stretchable, but can wear out quickly and absorbs moisture.

3. Comfort and Feel

PVC Leather: It is a little hard and gets hotter, so you can sweat in hot places.

PU Leather: It is more breathable and soft, so it is better for long-term use.

4. Maintenance and Cleaning

PVC Leather: It is very low-maintenance, just wipe it with a wet cloth.

PU Leather: It gets stained quickly and can get damaged by water, so maintenance is a little more.

5. Cost and Affordability

PVC Leather: It is cheaper because it is plastic-based.

PU Leather: It is a little expensive, but seems to be a better alternative to real leather.

6. Environment Impact

PVC Leather: It increases pollution more, because it is difficult to recycle and is not biodegradable.

PU Leather: It is eco-friendly because it is more biodegradable and less harmful chemicals are used.

If you want cheap, waterproof, and durable leather then PVC leather is the best. And if you want more comfortable and natural feel then PU leather is a better option.

Applications of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Leather

PVC leather is used everywhere. It is so cheap and long-lasting that it dominates everywhere, from fashion to cars. See where it is used:

Pvc leather application and it used in various industries

1. Furniture Industry

PVC leather is used in sofas, chairs and cushion covers because it is waterproof and easy-to-clean.

It is also used in hotel and office furniture so that it looks stylish and is not expensive.

2. Automotive Industry

PVC leather is quite famous in car and bike seats because it does not get too hot or cold and does not get damaged by water or stains.

PU or real leather is used in luxury cars, but PVC is used in normal cars and bikes.

3. Fashion Industry

PVC leather is heavily used in jackets, belts, bags and shoes because it is both cheap and stylish.

The stylish bags you see in shopping malls are mostly made of PVC leather.

4. Medical Industry

PVC leather is also used in hospital beds, wheelchairs and medical covers because it is easy-to-clean and waterproof.

It helps in maintaining hygiene standards of hospitals.

5. Sports & Outdoor Equipment

PVC leather is also used in sports gloves, gym mats and boxing bags because it is rough and tough.

It is also used extensively in outdoor covers and raincoats.

Pros & Cons of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Leather

Nothing is perfect. PVC leather is also popular but it has some disadvantages too. See full breakdown:

Pros – Why is it a cheap option?

Affordable: It is 50-70% cheaper than real leather.
Waterproof: No problem with water or moisture, just wipe it clean.
Durable: It is perfect for rough use, scratches do not come easily.
Easy Maintenance: No need for any special care or polish, just take a cloth and clean it.
Stylish & Versatile: It is used everywhere from fashion industry to cars.

Cons – What are the drawbacks?

No breathability: Can make you sweat, especially in hot places.
Cracking and peeling: With time the layer can peel off and cracks can also appear.
Dangerous for the environment: It is not biodegradable, and recycling is also difficult.
It is a bit stiff: Does not feel as soft as real leather or PU leather.

Future of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Leather

The future of PVC leather is a bit mixed. On one hand people are moving towards eco-friendly and biodegradable materials, on the other hand the demand for affordable and durable materials is also high.

1. Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Recycled PVC leather is being made so that pollution is reduced.

In future, research is going on to make PVC leather from biodegradable plastic.

2. Demand In The Fashion Industry

Being affordable and stylish, PVC leather will always be in fashion.

Designers are now making high-quality PVC leather designs which look like real leather.

3. There Will Be A Shift In The Luxury Market

Luxury brands can shift towards real leather or PU leather.

But PVC leather will be in demand in the middle-class and budget market.

Meaning, PVC leather is in vogue and will continue to do so in the future too, people are just trying to find eco-friendly options. Got it?

Common Queries Related To PVC Leather

1. What is PVC leather and what is it made of?

PVC leather is a part of synthetic vegan leather that is made from a combination of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fabric. It has a special coating of plastic that makes it waterproof, scratch-resistant and durable. This is a budget-friendly option of real leather which is very popular in fashion, furniture and automotive industry.

PVC leather is made by coating a layer of PVC plastic on top of the fabric. Many chemicals and plasticizers are added to it so that it looks soft and flexible. So technically, it is a type of plastic leather which is not expensive and looks like real leather.

2. What is the difference between PVC and PU leather?

Both are synthetic leathers, we can also call it faux leather but the difference between the two is like the difference between the earth and the sky.

PVC Leather: It is completely waterproof but feels a little hard and stiff.

PU Leather: It is soft and breathable, but can get wet quickly and absorbs moisture.

If you want more durable and low-maintenance leather then PVC leather is the best. And if you want comfortable and natural-feeling leather then PU leather is a better option.

3. What is the biggest advantage of PVC leather?

The biggest plus point of PVC leather is its durability and waterproofing. If any water falls on it, pour coffee or if a little dust gets on it, take a wet cloth and clean it, it will look like new.

Waterproof: Absolutely waterproof, that’s why it is used heavily on car seats, raincoats and furniture.

Durable: Protects from cuts and scratches, so can be used even in rough use.

Cheap and Budget-Friendly: A tension-free option for getting completely dirty compared to real leather.

Maintenance Free: No need for any special cleaning or polish, just one wipe and done!

4. What is the biggest problem with PVC leather?

Nothing is perfect. PVC leather is waterproof and strong, but it has some problems:

It can get sticky in the heat: Since it is plastic-based, it absorbs heat and can get sticky to the body.

Cracking and Peeling issue: If there is too much heat and sunlight, the plastic coating can get peeled.

Breathability is low: can make you sweat, especially in hot climate.

Not environment-friendly: it is not biodegradable, is difficult to recycle and increases plastic pollution.

5. Where is PVC leather used?

PVC leather is used everywhere. From fashion to cars, from furniture to medical field, it dominates everywhere.

Furniture Industry: It is used extensively in sofas, chairs and cushions because it does not get spoiled by water and is easy to clean.

Automotive Industry: PVC leather is very popular in car and bike seats because it is heat and moisture resistant.

Fashion Industry: It is also used heavily in bags, belts, jackets and shoes because it is cheaper and stylish than real leather.

Medical Industry: It is used in hospital beds and wheelchairs because it is hygienic and waterproof.

Conclusion

PVC leather is definitely the right option if you are looking at budget and durability. It is waterproof, affordable, and requires low-maintenance. So there will always be a craze for it in the car seats, furniture and fashion industry. Yes, it is a little risky for the environment, but advancement is going on to make eco-friendly PVC leather.

And if you want the feel of real leather then PU leather is better, but if you want cheap and long-lasting leather then PVC leather is definitely great. In future if the production of eco-friendly PVC leather increases, it will become even a better option.