PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931658
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931658
Synthetic leather, also known as artificial leather, refers to a man-made material engineered to imitate the look, feel, and performance of natural leather, and is commonly produced using polymers such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is used in the production of footwear, upholstery, automotive interiors, fashion accessories, furniture, and other applications where durability, affordability, and animal-free alternatives are desired.
The primary types of synthetic leather include polyurethane (PU)-based, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based, and bio-based. PU-based synthetic leather is a polymer crafted from polyurethane, a type of plastic. This artificial leather is available in both high-grade and low-grade varieties and finds applications in diverse fields such as footwear, furnishings, automotive, clothing, bags, purses, and wallets.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are impacting the synthetic leather market by increasing costs of imported polymers, chemical additives, coating materials, and textile backings used in PU-based, PVC-based, and bio-based leather production. Footwear, automotive, and furnishing manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures on export-oriented synthetic leather manufacturing. These tariffs are increasing material costs and finished product prices. However, they are also encouraging regional polymer production, domestic material innovation, and accelerated development of bio-based synthetic leather alternatives.
The synthetic leather/artificial leather market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides synthetic leather/artificial leather market statistics, including synthetic leather/artificial leather industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a synthetic leather/artificial leather market share, detailed synthetic leather/artificial leather market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the synthetic leather/artificial leather industry. This synthetic leather/artificial leather market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The synthetic leather/artificial leather market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $38.32 billion in 2025 to $41.47 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for leather alternatives, expansion of automotive interior applications, rising adoption in footwear manufacturing, availability of cost-effective synthetic materials, growing fashion industry demand for consistency.
The synthetic leather/artificial leather market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $57.49 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investments in plant-based leather technologies, rising demand for cruelty-free materials, expansion of sustainable automotive interiors, increasing regulatory pressure on pvc usage, growing innovation in low-emission synthetic materials. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of bio-based synthetic leather, rising demand for high-grade faux leather products, growing use in automotive interiors, expansion of vegan leather fashion lines, enhanced focus on durability and aesthetic quality.
The rising automotive industry contributes to the growth of the synthetic leather /artificial leather market going forward. The automotive industry encompasses companies and activities involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. The increasing automotive industry is due to several factors such as rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles, increasing consumer income and financing options. The synthetic leather/artificial leather is primarily associated with the medical field, its underlying technologies-such as precision sensors, data monitoring, and automation-can have valuable applications in the automotive industry. For instance, in September 2024 according to the automotive statistics, UK passengers car sales rose 10% to 275,239 units in 2024. Therefore, the rising automotive industry will drive the synthetic leather/artificial leather market.
Major companies operating in the synthetic leather/artificial leather market are adopting a strategic partnership approach aiming to offer fashionably sustainable leather substitutes. Strategic partnerships refer to a process in which companies leverage each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits and success. For instance, in February 2023, Lenzing AG, an Austria-based chemical company, announced a partnership with Natural Fiber Welding Inc., a US-based company that produces cotton-like natural fibers with the versatility of synthetics, to provide TENCEL-branded fibers as an additional support option for NFW's proprietary MIRUM plant-based technology. MIRUM is a material class that is unique and ideal for high-end accessories, clothing, shoes, cars, and household products. Environmentally conscious production methods are employed to make TENCEL Lyocell and Modal fibers, which are sourced from sustainable wood sources. The fibers are discernible, verifiable, and traceable because of Lenzing's Fiber Verification technology, which enables physical verification of fiber origin at various stages of production. This collaboration is a prime illustration of how cutting-edge materials like MIRUM and our sustainable TENCEL fibers can be used for applications outside traditional textiles. Since innovation is fundamental, there are countless ways to use the new material.
In August 2023, Katzkin Leather Inc., a US-based automotive leather manufacturer, acquired Roadwire Leather for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Katzkin sought to broaden its product portfolio and reinforce its manufacturing and distribution capabilities to more effectively serve OEMs, dealerships, and restylers, while supporting growth in the automotive interior and restyling market. Roadwire Leather is a US-based automotive leather manufacturing company that focuses on producing OEM-style leather-trimmed interiors and seat upgrade solutions for the automotive aftermarket.
Major companies operating in the synthetic leather/artificial leather market are H. R. Polycoats Pvt. Ltd., Kuraray Co. Ltd., Alfatex Italia SRL, Yantai Wanhua Synthetic Leather Group Co. Ltd., San Fang Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Filwel Co. Ltd., Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Teijin Limited, Zhejiang Hexin Industry Group Co. Ltd., Jiaxing Hexin Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Kunshan Xiefu New Material Co. Ltd., Huafeng Co. Ltd., Xiamen Hongxin Microfiber Materials Co. Ltd., Fujian Huayang Co. Ltd., Sanling Microfiber Leather Co. Ltd., Wenzhou Hongdeli Synthetic Leather Co. Ltd., Mayur Uniquoters Limited, Anhui Anli Material Technology Co. Ltd., Winner Nippon Leatherette Pvt. Ltd., Nanjing Wanlida Technology Co. Ltd., Ecopell GmbH, Guangzhou Xinjin Plastics Co. Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the synthetic leather/artificial leather market in 2025.Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global synthetic leather/artificial leather market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the synthetic leather/artificial leather market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the synthetic leather/artificial leather market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The synthetic leather/artificial leather market consists of sales of faux leather and vegan leather. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Synthetic Leather/Artificial Leather Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses synthetic leather/artificial leather market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for synthetic leather/artificial leather ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The synthetic leather/artificial leather market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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