Leather types and materials

Van Bommel uses both chrome-tanned and vegetable-tanned leather in its production. Chrome-tanned leather has the most negative impact on the environment. The properties of chrome-tanned leather and vegetable-tanned leather are very different. Chrome tanning produces a soft and supple leather, while vegetable tanning produces a more robust and strong leather. Depending on the desired end result, a combination of the two tanning agents is also possible. Elegant dress shoes require a beautiful, supple leather and therefore a chrome tanning. For more robust casual boots, vegetable tanned leather or a combination of both processes is used.


The upper leather for the shoes is purchased in Europe, mainly from Italian tanneries. For competitive reasons, we cannot disclose a list of these tanners. However, the press and NGOs have the possibility to view our list of suppliers on a confidential basis. Over 70% of the leather processed by Van Bommel comes from tanners certified by the LWG (Leather Working Group). Van Bommel aims to increase this percentage to 100% by 2025. All haberdashery and soles come from European manufacturers. The lining leather for the shoes is sourced from LWG (Leather Working Group) certified tanners in India and Japan.


Leather is a residual product of the meat industry. Cows, pigs and goats are not bred for their leather hides. They are raised and slaughtered for their meat yield and the hides are a residual product of this. Exotic animals, such as crocodiles and snakes, are often bred and slaughtered only for their skins. Van Bommel does not process exotic animal skins. Shoes with crocodile or snake prints are made of finished cowhide.


Van Bommel does not use fur or other animals skins that have been bred exclusively for their fur. Van Bommel uses faux fur and sheep or lambskin for its fur-lined shoes. Sheepskin or lambskin is a residual product. Sheep are never bred for their skin, but for their wool and meat.


The leather used by Van Bommel complies with the European 'Chrome VI' standard. Van Bommel’s leather suppliers are obliged to regularly test their leather types and production lines for the presence of 'Chrome VI'. For monitoring purposes, Van Bommel also carries out random laboratory tests to check leather batches for the presence of 'Chrome VI'.