PU leather, or polyurethane leather, is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer used for making furniture, clothing, footwear, and other products where a leather-like finish is desired but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable, or for ethical concerns. PU leather is completely artificial and is considered vegan. There are some types of PU leather called bicast leather that have actual leather but have a polyurethane coating on top of it. PU leather is a synthetic product created by applying a layer of polyurethane to a base layer of another material. This process initially made PU leather popular as an animal-free alternative to traditional leather, aligning with the growing consumer demand for vegan and cruelty-free products. However, this animal-friendly tag has often been misleadingly extended to imply that PU leather is also eco-friendly – an assertion that is not entirely accurate.

Pros of PU leather:

• It is a more affordable alternative to genuine leather.
• It is considered vegan because it does not contain any animal skin.
• It is durable and easy to maintain.

Cons of PU leather:

• It is not as breathable as genuine leather.
• It is not as long-lasting as genuine leather.
• It is not eco-friendly.

In summary, PU leather is an artificial leather made of thermoplastic polymer used as a substitute for genuine leather in various products. It is a more affordable and vegan alternative to genuine leather, but it is not as breathable or long-lasting and is not eco-friendly.