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

This is a true craft that accounts for the majority of the cost of the raw material: leather.

*imputre-whaaat? Imputrescible means "that 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 finest French tanneries, awarded the Living Heritage Company label (just like us!) for its great expertise.
Our joint work allows us to offer you exceptional leathers of consistent quality, with a unique feel and colors that are always highly refined.

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

• all employees work in good conditions, with proper equipment, and use products approved by Europe and France;
• no products end up in the Dadou* or the groundwater. The water is entirely treated by the tannery before being sent to a wastewater treatment plant for a final filtering;
• REACH standards are scrupulously respected: every product used is meticulously weighed, checked, and validated.

Inspections are regular and very strict. When you buy an Ateliers Fourès leather piece, you are buying into values and a commitment to reasoned and responsible production.

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

Let's get back to the matter at hand, or rather... to our bull calf skins.

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

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

MINERAL TANNING

Mineral tanning is the most widespread tanning method in the world (85% of leathers). It is preferred by brands for its suppleness, elasticity, infinite color palette, and durability over time.

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

• Poor quality chromium
• Poor 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 inspections. This is even more true in France, where standards are even tougher than in the rest of Europe.

The French tannery that processes our leather is in the process of being certified by LWG (This is the benchmark organization in the tanning industry. Gold Rated is the most demanding level of certification. This certification guarantees the highest level of wastewater recycling and energy consumption, control of the products used, and traceability of the leathers produced. It conducts frequent tests on hides before and after processing, systematically checks wastewater at the end of the process, and treats this water before sending it to the sewage treatment plant.

VEGETABLE TANNING

Vegetable tanning does not use chemicals to transform hide into leather, but rather plant tannins. 

Please note, however, that vegetable-tanned leather can subsequently be poorly processed using nutrients and chemical pigments that are banned in France and harmful to health and the planet. Wastewater may also not be treated when leaving the tannery. Thus, vegetable-tanned leather does not guarantee the good practices of the tannery that produces it.

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

For our part, we have chosen mineral tanning done in France, for the suppleness and durability it provides to our products.

We promise you products that will last. Our tests with vegetable-tanned leather have been inconclusive and do not allow us to keep this promise. We remain in constant search of 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 our leathers while limiting the additional costs of tanning in France by eliminating intermediaries.

An Ateliers Fourès product means:

• Mineral tanning for unparalleled suppleness and fullness
• Tanning done in France, locally, with no middlemen
• By an EPV-certified tannery, with a very high level of quality and standards
• Wastewater treatment
• Perfect mastery of the tanning process, with zero health risks
• Transparency—do not hesitate to contact us if we haven't answered all your questions 😊