Vegetable Tanned Leather or Veg Leather?

For Magrabò, the environmental impact, the quality of the material, and the proposal of an accessory with a high aesthetic value, unique and with excellent technical qualities, are some of the basic principles of our artisan production.
We have therefore opted for biodegradable materials, which also have a low environmental impact during production and which are aesthetically beautiful and functional.

Vegetable Tanned Leather or Vegan Leather?

More and more people want to make informed choices for products that are good for the environment and sustainable.
Animal welfare also plays an increasingly important role in the choices we make when it comes to the items we buy.

We therefore see an important trend in the field of choice of materials and leathers, towards vegan leather alternatives.
There are several Vegan leather straps and accessories on the market, often made of BioThane® or vegan leather.
It is an inexpensive, versatile material and is available in all colors imaginable.

But why doesn't Magrabò Guitar Straps use it?

This article provides an overview of the differences between Vegetable Tanned Leather and BioThane®,
and why we chose to use Vegetable Tanned Leather.

Of course, this does not mean that you have to follow our choice, you are completely free to do so,
both materials have advantages and disadvantages.

What is BioThane® or vegan leather?

BioThane® is the brand name for all coated fabric products made by BioThane Coated Webbing Corp.
It is a polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating which makes it more resistant, waterproof, easy to clean, and weldable.
Despite the brand name in which the word bio is part of the name, this, unfortunately, does not mean that it is very organic.
BioThane® or "vegan leather", is made from synthetic leather substitute materials, such as TPU and PVC, or in other words: plastic.

Plastic is not only polluting but also unsustainable.
Not only because of the chemical process that precedes it but also because plastic takes a long time to be broken down and microplastics are released when synthetic products are worn and washed, which end up in the oceans and our drinking water.

The advantages of guitar and bass straps in BioThane® are durable, robust, easy-to-clean products, and no maintenance required.

The disadvantages of guitar and bass straps in BioThane® are several hundred years before decomposition, microplastics, and plasticizers = Harmful to health, and Greater environmental impact during production

Vegetable Tanned Leather

There are two types of leather.
The most commonly used is chrome-tanned leather.
However, there is also a more sustainable variant of the leather, i.e. vegetable-tanned leather, used by Magrabò.
Unlike fur, where animals are killed for their skins, bovine leather is almost always a by-product of the meat industry.

Raw hides and skins used by our tannery come from cattle intended for the food industry from the very beginning and come from European farms that comply with EU animal welfare legislation.

The tannery creates value from the by-products of the food industry and addresses the waste disposal problem.
Because it is used only leather from Europe, the environmental impact of transport is low due to the shortest distance.

The vegetable tanning of animal skins is one of the oldest human crafts.
The leather is colored with natural plant extracts, herbs, and trees.
Since vegetable-tanned leather is tanned with natural tannins, at the end of its life it can be easily disposed of thanks to its chemical-biological properties and is biodegradable.
Vegetable-tanned leather, recognizable by its brand, does not contain toxic substances such as azo dyes, nickel, PCP, or chromium VI.

The advantages of guitar and bass straps In the case of vegetable tanning:
No toxic substances, no health risks, and no environmental pollution during tanning Italian craftsmanship Beauty, uniqueness, performance, and comfort. The

Disadvantages of guitar and bass straps Depending on the exposure, it can be a little more difficult to clean.

So, which is better, BioThane® vegan leather or vegetable-tanned leather?
There is no right or wrong answer.

As mentioned, both variants have advantages and disadvantages.
What a person considers sustainable depends on what consider most important within all sustainable options.

For Magrabò, the environmental impact, the quality of the material, and the proposal of an accessory with a high aesthetic value and excellent technical qualities are some of the basic principles of our artisan production.
We, therefore, opted for biodegradable materials, which also have a low environmental impact during production and which are aesthetically beautiful and functional.

Click here to view all Vegetable Tanned Leather guitar straps