Bonded leather is a type of upholstery material that contains animal hide. It is also known as reconstituted leather, composition leather, or blended leather. Bonded leather is made by shredding leather scraps and leather fiber, then mixing it with bonding materials. The mixture is next extruded onto a cloth or paper backing, and the surface is usually embossed with a leather-like texture or grain. Color and patterning, if any, are a surface treatment that does not penetrate like a dyeing process would. Here are some key characteristics of bonded leather:

• Bonded leather is made from a mix of real and fake leather. It is made from the leftover scraps and fibers made from processing genuine leather mixed with a polyurethane binder.
• Most bonded leather is comprised of only 10-20% genuine leather.
• Bonded leather is the cheapest leather and sits at the bottom of the grading scale.
• Bonded leather can sometimes feel and smell like real leather, but the difference is going to come with how they look. Bonded leather will have a consistent texture, while genuine leather will have some imperfections.
• Bonded leather is less durable than genuine leather and can easily scratch, peel, and break down faster.
• Bonded leather can be found in furniture, bookbinding, and various fashion accessories such as shoe components, textile and accessory linings, portfolios and briefcases, handbags, belts, chairs, and sofas.

It is important to note that there is some debate and controversy over the ethics of using the term "bonded leather" to describe an upholstery product, which is actually a reconstituted leather, specifically in the home.