Tanning is the set of processes used to transform the skin into rot-proof* leather, more or less supple, soft, velvety, elastic. It is also at the tannery that the leather will be worked, colored, softened, nubucked, etc.

This is a real know-how which explains most of the cost of the raw material: leather.

*imputré-quoiii? Imputrescible means “which cannot rot”.

We have been producing our leather for over 30 years in a historic tannery in Graulhet, known for working with the biggest luxury brands. It is one of the most beautiful French tanneries, labeled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (like us !) for its great know-how.
Our joint work allows us to offer you exceptional leathers, of consistent quality, with a unique feel, and always in very sophisticated colors.

By tanning in France, with a trusted partner, we ensure that:

• all employees work in good conditions, with good equipment, and use products validated by Europe and France;
• no product ends up in the Dadou* or the water table. The water is fully treated by the tannery before being sent to a treatment plant for a final filtering;
• REACH standards are scrupulously respected: each product used is carefully weighed, checked and validated.

The checks are regular and very strict. When you buy a piece of Ateliers Fourès leather, you are buying values ​​and a commitment to responsible and reasoned production.

* Graulhet River along which all the historic tanneries are located.

Let's get back to our sheep, or rather... to our young bull skins.

To transform them from skins to leather, there are two main types of tanning:

• Mineral tanning based on chromium salts
• Vegetable tanning based on natural tannins (such as bark for example)

MINERAL TANNING

Mineral tanning is the most widespread tanning in the world (85% of leathers). It is preferred by brands for its flexibility, elasticity, infinite range of colors and resistance over time.

Mineral tanning can be problematic in terms of pollution when using a tannery that does not comply with European standards:

• Poor quality chromes
• Bad tanning processes
• Wastewater discharged into nature without being treated

On the other hand, as we mentioned earlier, leathers tanned in Europe are subject to very strict rules and frequent checks . This is even more true in France where the standards are even stricter than in the rest of Europe.

The French tannery that works our leather is in the process of being certified by LWG (This is the reference organization in the field of tanning. Gold Rated is the most demanding level of certification. This certification guarantees the best level of recycling of wastewater and energy consumption, control of the products used and the traceability of the leathers produced . It carries out frequent tests on the hides before and after work, systematically checks the wastewater at the end of the process, and reprocesses this water before sending it to a treatment plant.

VEGETABLE TANNING

Vegetable tanning does not use chemicals to transform the skin into leather, but vegetable tannins.

Be careful, however, vegetable tanned leather can then be poorly worked with foods and chemical pigments banned in France and harmful to health and the planet. Wastewater may also not be reprocessed when leaving the tannery. Thus, vegetable tanned leather does not guarantee the good practices of the tannery that produces it.

The leather obtained is firmer than with mineral tanning, which limits its use to rather rigid products. It is also not possible to obtain all the desired colours and these are more likely to fade with time and light.

For our part, we have chosen mineral tanning made in France , for the flexibility and durability it offers to our products.

We promise you products that will last a long time. Our tests with vegetable tanned leather are not conclusive and do not allow us to keep this promise. We are constantly looking for greener solutions that do not come at the expense of quality.

By working with a certified tannery located near our Workshop, we ensure the quality of the leathers while limiting the additional cost of tanning in France, by eliminating intermediaries.

An Ateliers Fourès product is:

• Mineral tanning for unparalleled suppleness and roundness
• Tanning done in France, locally, without intermediaries
• By a tannery labeled EPV, with a very high level of quality and requirement
• Wastewater treatment
• Perfect control of the tanning process, without any risk to health
• For transparency, do not hesitate to contact us if we have not answered all your questions 😊