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Pieces of leather hanging in factory

Our leather

Vegetable-tanned vachetta leather
Made in Italy

Pieces of leather hanging in factory

Our leather

Vegetable-tanned vachetta leather
Made in Italy

Our leather

Vegetable-tanned vachetta leather
Made in Italy

We only use pure vegetable-tanned, full-grain vachetta leather.
For our high-quality products, we only source the best
the best parts of the hide. All our leathers are hand-picked,
vegetable tanned and come from Northern Europe.

Only the best leather is good enough for us.

Each of our products places its own demands on the leather. Sometimes it needs to be supple, and other times it needs to remain sturdy.

Our full-grain leather comes from Tuscany—from the family-owned company Conceria 800, which has relied on traditional pit tanning for generations. It’s a method that takes time—and that’s exactly what it delivers: character.

We source two types of leather from this company: the TOSCANO VOLANATO—a soft, supple full-grain leather with a natural drape—and the TOSCANO, which is firm, smooth, and precisely shaped.

Italy has always set the standard when it comes to leather. We've found our source.

Good Wilhelm vegetable-tanned leather on a Tiasch

Leather Under Fire—Is the Criticism Justified?

Leather is often criticized. Rarely fully understood. Vegetable-tanned full-grain leather from sustainable livestock farming is biodegradable, durable, and free of petroleum. Many of the materials marketed today as vegan alternatives are not actually vegan—they ’re made of polyurethane or PVC, leave behind microplastics, and require costly disposal or incineration. We’ve chosen the material that’s more authentic—even if it’s harder to explain.

olive leaves for tanning leather from good wilhelm

What is vegetable-tanned leather?

Vegetable tanning is the oldest form of leather production—and one of the most labor-intensive. While chrome tanning is completed in a matter of days, the vegetable tanning process takes 30 to 60 days. It has remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Instead of chemicals, natural tanning agents are used: oak and spruce bark, olive leaves, and rhubarb roots. What is created slowly lasts longer.

This process comes at a cost—which is why only 10 to 15 percent of all leather worldwide is vegetable-tanned today. We have made a conscious choice to be part of this.

"Vegetable-tanned leather combines natural beauty, tangible quality, and the unique ability to become more beautiful with each passing day."

What is chrome-tanned leather?

Chrome tanning accounts for about 80 percent of global leather production. The reason is simple: the process often takes only one day—chromium sulfate, acids, and salts react quickly. This allows leather to be produced on a large scale and at low cost.

The downside is well known, but rarely openly acknowledged. The chemicals used have a significant impact on the environment—in many producing countries, tanning liquids are discharged into waterways without being filtered. Improper processing can also result in the formation of chromium-VI compounds, which are allergenic, toxic, and carcinogenic with regular skin contact.

We decided against it. Not as a statement—but because we wanted a leather that you could hold in your hands every day with a clear conscience.

two men stand barefoot in large tanning vessels
leather hides in the color cognac lie on a table

Only the best leather is good enough.

Each of our products has its own requirements for the leather. Sometimes it has to be soft and supple, sometimes firm and robust. Our leather comes from Tuscany and is produced in the family business Conceria 800 in the traditional way using pit tanning. The Italians are true masters in leather production and Italy has always been synonymous with high quality leather. We obtain a very high-quality full-grain leather from Conceria 800, called TOSCANO VOLANATO, as well as a firm and smooth leather called TOSCANO.

large quantity of olive leaves

What is vegetable-tanned leather?

Vegetable tanning, also known as vegetable tanning, is the most traditional and also the most environmentally friendly tanning method. The process has remained almost unchanged for hundreds of years. In contrast to chrome tanning, vegetable tanning can take 30-60 days. In the vegetable tanning process, natural ingredients such as oak and spruce bark, olive leaves or rhubarb roots are used to tan the leather and make it durable. As this tanning process is very time-consuming and therefore expensive, it is assumed that only 10-15% of all leathers are still vegetable-tanned. We are very proud to be able to use this high-quality leather.

Vegetable-tanned leather combines natural beauty, tangible quality, and the unique ability to become more beautiful with each passing day.
GOOD WILHELM

two men stand barefoot in large tanning vessels

What is chrome-tanned leather?

Chrome-tanned leather is the most commonly used leather and accounts for around 80% of all leather used in the world. The tanning process often only takes one day, as the chemicals, acids and salts (chromium sulphate) used react very quickly. This means that leather can be produced on a large scale and is affordable for everyone.
The major disadvantage of this tanning process is its high environmental impact. Especially in poorer countries, the tanning liquids are often discharged unfiltered into the rivers. So-called chromium VI compounds can also be produced if the tanning process is carried out incorrectly. These are allergenic, toxic and even carcinogenic if they come into frequent contact with the skin.

Pallets full of raw cowhides

Where do our rawhides come from?

The leather we use comes exclusively from livestock farming. No animal has died as a result.

Raw hides are a byproduct of the meat industry—a valuable part of the animal that would otherwise go to waste. All hides are verifiably sourced from Northern Europe, where strict animal welfare regulations have been the norm for decades. This is reflected in the quality of the leather: an even grain, few imperfections, and a long lifespan.

A material that was carefully chosen—right from the start.

Pallets full of raw cowhides

Where do our rawhides come from?

The leather we use comes exclusively from livestock farming. No animal has died because of its leather. The raw hides are a valuable by-product of the meat industry. All hides are proven to come from Northern Europe.
Northern European cattle are considered to be of the best quality due to strictly regulated husbandry.