It all starts with the raw materials.

Rawhide is the basis of our product and is a major factor in the quality of our leather. Couro Azul therefore only chooses raw material of the finest European origin, which ensures the high quality and natural character of our leather.

At Couro Azul, we strive to combine our know-how with state-of-the-art equipment in order to continuously improve the quality of our leather.

Recognized since 2007

Our quality department is staffed by a team of highly qualified engineers, who are expert in the management of quality systems and have expert knowledge of the process and the product, which strengthens and fosters partnership relations with our clients.

Quality, like innovation, is a cornerstone of our strategy, as is demonstrated by the fact that we were the first tannery in Portugal to achieve ISO9002 certification (in 1994) and ISO TS 16949 certification (in 2007).


ISO TS 16949 Certificate



ISO 14001 Certificate


KEEP YOUR LEATHER JUST LIKE NEW

A precious natural material like leather needs special treatment. Here are some useful recommendations on how to preserve its unique characteristics.

For a simple and regular cleaning:

1

Vacuum the dust.

For a simple and regular cleaning:

2

Use a cloth soaked with Luke warm water and mild soap to clean softly the leather. Don't ever scrub hard the leather otherwise it will be damaged.

For a simple and regular cleaning:

3

Rinse it and dry it with a soft fabric.

Avoid the following products to clean the leather:

1

Alcohol, solvents, alkaline products, ammoniac products, oils, polish, varnish, or any household cleaner.

For a harder cleaning or a quite pronounced stain:

1

Refer to a professional or buy an appropriate leather care product according to the stain degree.

For a harder cleaning or a quite pronounced stain:

2

An operation like this can damage the leather, that's why we advise you to use a leather regenerator onto all the leather surface. You can also use those regenerators regularly to minimize the ageing of the leather.

1/

I. Beam House

Sequence of chemical and mechanical operations that aim to clean and prepare the hide for tanning

  • SOAKING

    Rehydrates the hide and eliminate curing agents and impurities.

  • FLESHING

    A mechanical process that removes fat and subcutaneous tissue residues.

  • UNHAIRING & LIMING

    A chemical process that removes hair and epidermis from the hide and prepares it for tanning.

  • LIME SPLITTING

    The limed hide is divided into two layers: Top grain (upper layer) and the split (lower layer).

II. Tanning

Tanning transforms the limed hide into leather conferring its preservation and resistance through the use of tanning agents in two alternative processes, with and without chrome.

  • WET BLUE

    
Leather that has been tanned with chrome and metals

  • WET WHITE


    
Leather that has been tanned using a combination of synthetic and vegetable tannins without chrome

  • SHAVING


    The leather is shaved in order to give it a uniform thickness.

III. DYEING & DRYING

  • RETANNAGE, DYEING & FAT LIQUORING

    Process that confers the leather its basis colour, softness and elasticity.

  • DRYING

    The process by which moisture is removed from the leather using a combination of different techniques

  • CRUST

    Leather that is not yet finished but has already been tanned, dyed, and dried.

  • STAKING PROCESS

    The process by which the leather becomes softer.

  • MILLING

    The mechanical process in a drum by which hides are subjected to heat and humidity to soften the leather.

  • BUFFING PROCESS

    The leather is buffed in order to remove imperfections (this type of leather is called “corrected grain” leather) or to obtain nubuck or suede leather.

IV. Finished Leather

Final production process to achieve superficial properties like durability, stability and beauty, with different finishing techniques required for its specific application

  • ANILINE


    
Leather finished only with a transparent aniline, thus retaining its natural appearance.

  • SEMI-ANILINE

    
Leather finished with a light layer of pigment plus aniline, thus retaining some of its natural appearance.

  • PIGMENT LEATHER

    The leather is covered by opaque pigments which give it great durability.

  • EMBOSSED LEATHER

    Embossing of leather involves printing it with a pattern or texture.