LWG publishes LCA report
Multi-stakeholder body the Leather Working Group (LWG) has announced the publication of its Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, analysing the environmental impact of leather production across fifty products within six product families, covering over 2,000 unique chemicals and 250 processes.
Conducted globally from 2021 to 2022, the study encompasses data from 28 finished leather and 32 wet-blue manufacturers, all certified against the LWG Standard. It evaluates key environmental indicators, including Global Warming Potential (GWP), water use, eutrophication, abiotic depletion, and freshwater ecotoxicity.
Key findings reveal that upstream processes, such as cattle farming and slaughtering, are responsible for 68% of leather’s GWP, equating to 22.48 kg CO2e per square metre of finished leather. Among core manufacturing processes, the post-tanning stage has the most significant impact on abiotic depletion and freshwater ecotoxicity, primarily due to chemical usage.
The report provides actionable recommendations to reduce environmental footprints, enabling LWG-certified manufacturers, brands, and retailers to make informed, sustainable decisions.
More information can be found on the LWG website
