In the production of synthetic leather, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane is used as raw material and many chemicals are used during processing to produce more artificial leather and increase product durability. Synthetic leather production is also increasing because people want newer and more elegant artificial leather products.

Polyvinyl chloride, or more commonly known as PVC, is a kind of plastic coating used on fabric to make artificial leather. Additives are required to prolong the life of polyvinyl chloride.

Because in the pure state this material is highly fragile and susceptible to degradation under light and heat. The additives used include plasticizers, stabilizers and fillers. In general, 53 percent by weight PVC polymer, 40 percent by weight plasticizer and 5 percent by weight filler are used for flexible PVC used in artificial leather structure.

PVC garments are also known as vinyl. These shiny leather-like garments are still used today in the fashion industry. However, producing PVC is incredibly damaging to both people and the environment.

PVC secretes toxic chemicals during processing, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), vinyl chloride, dioxins, ethylene dichloride, furans and mercury. Taking care of the environment is a responsibility. Although using artificial leather garments instead of using real animal skins shows that people are environmentally friendly to some extent, some tests, measurements and analyzes should be performed in terms of not damaging the nature during production stages and avoiding harm to the people who use these clothes due to the chemicals used.

The use of artificial leather is increasing due to its flexibility, eye-catching elegance, long life and rich stance. Artificial leather materials are used in many areas from garments to shoes, upholstery to decorative objects.