OBRO – Leather-Infused Translucent PVC Composite

OBRO is a translucent composite material developed by integrating finely powdered recycled leather into black PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The material is designed to combine the structural durability and water resistance of PVC with the tactile warmth and depth typically associated with leather.

During leather manufacturing, small offcuts and irregular fragments are commonly generated as waste. In OBRO, these discarded leather scraps are mechanically pulverized into fine powder and evenly dispersed throughout a PVC matrix. Rather than concealing the recycled content, the material allows subtle visibility of embedded particles, creating a layered surface effect that shifts depending on light and viewing angle.

The base is a translucent black PVC, enabling partial light transmission while maintaining depth and opacity. A leather-like embossing finish enhances surface tactility without masking the internal structure. The resulting composite exhibits a balance of flexibility, dimensional stability, and moisture resistance, making it suitable for applications in fashion accessories, lifestyle goods, interior elements, and potentially architectural soft materials. Unlike surface-applied sustainable treatments, the recycled content becomes part of the material identity itself.

Potential applications include bags, small leather goods, furniture accents, panels, and hybrid fashion-textile explorations. Customization in translucency level, particle density, emboss pattern, and sheet thickness is possible depending on production requirements.