Unlocking Sustainability: The Role of Life Cycle Assessments in the Leather Industry

Understanding the Life Cycle Approach

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) offer a comprehensive view of environmental impacts across all stages of a product’s existence. From raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling, LCAs provide valuable insights for the leather industry to advance sustainability.

Why LCAs Matter

✔ Holistic Environmental Analysis – Based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, LCAs ensure versatility and comparability across supply chains.
✔ Balanced Impact Evaluation – All environmental factors are weighed equally, ensuring no single category dominates the assessment.
✔ Key Impact Categories – Includes Climate Change, Ozone Depletion, Water Use, Human Toxicity, and Freshwater Ecotoxicity.

Breaking Down the LCA Process

1. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Analysis

This stage involves data collection and calculations for each phase of production, from raw materials to processing and manufacturing. Accuracy depends on a mix of primary data (direct from operations) and secondary data (databases and literature sources).

2. Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)

✔ Classification & Characterization – Evaluates each impact category separately, quantifying effects in measurable units.
✔ Global Warming Potential (GWP) – Assesses greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalents, one of the most scrutinized metrics.

LCA Scope: Cradle-to-Gate vs. Cradle-to-Grave

LCAs differ based on how much of the product’s life cycle is included:

• Cradle-to-Gate: Covers impacts up to the factory door (raw material extraction to finished leather).
• Cradle-to-Grave: Extends to end-of-life disposal, considering landfill, composting, or recycling.
• Cradle-to-Cradle: Evaluates circular economy potential, promoting leather recycling and reuse.

Key Data Sources: Ecoinvent & Industry Research

LCA models rely on databases like Ecoinvent to structure system boundaries and aggregate findings. However, perfect data remains a challenge. Recent studies include:

• Leather Naturally & LWG Aggregated LCAs – Comprehensive industry insights.
• Leather Naturally’s Industry-Wide LCA (2025) – Analyzed 56 studies across 11 countries (published in Discover Sustainability Journal).

The Challenge of Imperfect Data & Varying Methodologies

🚧 Data Gaps – Many regions struggle to provide reliable primary data, leading to overreliance on secondary sources.
🚧 Inconsistent Methodologies – Different approaches lead to non-comparable results, highlighting the need for standardized LCA protocols.
🚧 Carbon Tunnel Vision – Focusing solely on Global Warming Potential ignores other vital factors like biodiversity, water consumption, and toxicity.

The Longevity Factor: Leather’s Built-in Sustainability

Unlike synthetic alternatives, leather is a durable, long-lasting material. Extending leather’s lifespan through reuse and upcycling significantly reduces its overall environmental footprint and aligns with circular economy principles.

A Sustainability Transition for Leather

New LCA studies reveal substantial reductions in bovine leather’s environmental impact over time. The path forward requires:

✔ Collaboration Across the Value Chain – Engaging suppliers, brands, and researchers.
✔ Standardized & Transparent LCAs – Ensuring comparability and credibility.
✔ Accurate Data Interpretation – Avoiding misleading conclusions to make truly sustainable decisions.

LCAs empower stakeholders with the information needed to drive sustainability, improve environmental performance, and shape a greener future for the leather industry. 🌍