According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the global biocides for leather market size is expected to grow from USD 540 million in 2021 to USD 735.9 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2022 to 2030. Due to changing consumer lifestyles and increased disposable income, leather chemicals are predicted to be in high demand in a wide range of applications, including jackets, wallets, upholstery, shoes, and belts. The application's demand is predicted to fluctuate depending on seasonal variations. The leather industry's growth is predicted to boost demand for biocides, primarily used as bactericides and fungicides to prevent the creation of germs, fungi, and bacteria throughout various crucial manufacturing processes.

Global Biocides for Leather Market Definition

Since leather is a widely used material for various products, including footwear, apparel, vehicle seats, purses, coats, bags, pouches, smartphone covers, dog collars, and belts, it is one of the most widely used materials. There are different stages of leather production in which biocides are used, such as curing, wetting, soaking, pickling, tanning, dyeing, finishing, and storing produced leather. Biocides are also used to sanitize and disinfect leather production facilities to eliminate the buildup of hazardous bacteria in the air.

Global Biocides for Leather Market Dynamics

Drivers: Increasing Demand for High-Quality Leather Products in Several Industrial Applications

Leather products are extremely popular among consumers due to intrinsic properties such as dustproof, fireproof, crack-proof, and durability, which are projected to drive the leather goods market forward. Furthermore, during the last few years, the increased demand for stylish handbags, luxury leather wallets, and other leather products has influenced the expansion of the leather goods industry. Further, it is one of the most widely traded items in the world, and the footwear and fashion industries are driving the increase in demand for it. Aside from these, the automotive, furniture and interior design industries all use leather. Moreover, leather has been used in automobiles on a regular basis due to the rising demand for lightweight, high-quality, and durable leather interiors, particularly for seats, which enhances not only the foundation of the car but also provides comfort for the driver and passengers. Thus, increased demand for high-quality leather products in various industrial sectors fostered the market’s growth.

Restraints: Toxic Concerns from the Products

Raising livestock for food and leather necessitates massive grain, pastureland, water, and fossil fuels. Without the luxury of waste treatment equipment, factory farm animals create 130 times the amount of excrement as the total human population. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has even admitted that cattle contamination is the most serious threat to the waterways. Further, the tannery effluent has a high concentration of contaminants, including salt, lime sludge, sulphides, and acids. The tanning process balanced the collagen or protein fibers in skins, causing them to stop biodegrading—otherwise, the leather would rot in the closet.

Moreover, people who work at and live near tanneries are also affected. Many people die from cancer, which may have been caused by exposure to harmful chemicals used to treat and dye the leather. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered that the incidence of leukemia among inhabitants near a tannery in Kentucky was five times higher than the national norm. Arsenic, a common tannery chemical, has long been linked to lung cancer in workers who are regularly exposed to it. Thus, serious toxic concern for the environment and people’s health is the major restraining factor for the market’s growth.

Opportunities: Increasing Demand for Bio-Based Alternatives

Modern Meadow, a manufacturer of 'biologically advanced materials,' has created leather-inspired sustainable biofabricated materials. They collaborate with Evonik, a prominent manufacturer of specialty chemicals, to commercialize its production. Modern Meadow's method uses yeast cells to manufacture animal-free collagen, a protein naturally found in animal hides. The company's headquarters will be in Nutley, New Jersey, USA. The Zoa material will be available in various shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Collagen, the main structural component of cow hides, is the fundamental component of this biobased leather. As a result, the final material is quite similar to animal leather. Collagen comes in various forms and applications that extend beyond leather-like materials. Because it is the most abundant protein in the human body, it has numerous pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. Collagen supports wound healing, leads tissue regeneration, and can renew the skin, all of which are areas in which Evonik is conducting research. The creation of Zoa will enable the production of biobased leather with novel features, such as lighter-weight choices, new processing forms, and patterning. Thus, increasing demand for bio-based alternatives and various key players' initiatives towards developing such products is creating a lucrative growth demand for the market.

Scope of the Global Biocides for Leather Market

The study categorizes the biocides for leather market based on product type, and process at the regional and global levels.

By Product Type (Sales, USD Million, 2017-2030)

• Bactericides
• Fungicides

By Process (Sales, USD Million, 2017-2030)

• Tanning and Dyeing
• Beam House
• Finishing
• Curing

By Region (Sales, USD Million, 2017-2030)

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Czech Republic
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Northern Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Fungicides segment is projected to account for the largest market share, by product type

In 2021, the fungicides segment accounted for the largest market share in the global biocides for leather market. This large share is due to good efficacy even at lower dosages, and it will be useful in tanneries to control bacteria and fungi. During various crucial processes in the leather production process, such as soaking, pickling, tanning, washing, and finishing, biocides are increasingly employed as fungicides and bactericides to prevent fungi buildup, bacteria, and other organisms.

APAC accounts for the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Globally, APAC is estimated to hold the highest CAGR in the global biocides for leather market during the forecast period. The abundance of raw materials and high concentration of leather manufacturers in the region have contributed to the region's market growth. One of the key elements boosting demand for leather chemicals in the Asia Pacific is low-cost labor. Japan is one of the major importers of luxury goods and footwear. The country's leather industry has a relatively low penetration of leather chemicals. However, Japan's well-established vehicle industry accounts for a significant portion of the country's leather consumption. Growing demand for leather goods from the automotive industry will probably be the main driver of leather chemicals like biocides in the nation.

Key Market Players in the Global Biocides for Leather Market

The global biocides for leather market are highly competitive, with key industry players adopting strategies such as product development, partnerships, acquisitions, agreements, and expansion to strengthen their market positions. Most market companies focus on expanding operations across regions, augmenting their capabilities, and building strong partner relations.

Major players in the global biocides for leather market are:

• Stahl Holdings B.V.
• LANXESS
• Chemtan Company, Inc.
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• SCHILL+SEILACHER GMBH
• Indofil Industries Limited
• Pulcra Chemicals GmbH
• Rock Chemie Co.
• Hubei Jinghong Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.

Recent Developments

• In January 2022, LANXESS and Matrica started to produce sustainable biocide preservatives from renewable raw materials under their joint venture. Matrica started planting at Porto Torres and supplying LANXESS with bio-based raw materials from vegetable oils to manufacture a new series of industrial preservatives.
• In January 2021, LANXESS acquired French company INTACE SAS. The acquisition was made to expand LANXESS position as one of the leading manufacturer of biocides and antimicrobials.

Key Issues Addressed

• What is the market size by various segmentation of the biocides for leather by region and its respective countries?
• What are the customer buying behavior, key takeaways, and Porter's 5 forces of the biocides for leather market?
• What are the key opportunities and trends for manufacturers involved in the biocides for leather supply chain?
• What are the fundamental dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) of the market?
• What and how regulations, schemes, patents, and policies are impacting the growth of the market?
• What are the upcoming technological solutions influencing market trends? How will existing companies adapt to the new change in technology?
• The market player positioning, top winning strategies by years, company product developments, and launches will be?
• How has COVID-19 impacted the demand and sales of biocides for leathers in the global market? Also, the expected BPS drop or rise count of the market and market predicted recovery period.
• Detailed analysis of the competitors and their latest launch, and what are the prominent startups introduced in the target market? Also, detailed company profiling of 25+ leading and prominent companies in the market.