The global synthetic leather market was valued at USD 42.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 76.97 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of approximately 7.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.
Market growth is driven by increasing demand from the automotive, footwear, and furniture industries, where synthetic leather offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to real leather. Rising consumer awareness around animal cruelty and the environmental impact of traditional leather is also fueling the shift toward synthetic options. Additionally, advancements in bio-based and eco-friendly synthetic leather materials are expected to further boost market adoption.
Synthetic leather is manufactured synthetically from PVC and PU. The terms artificial leather, faux leather, imitation leather, mixed leather, etc. can all be used to describe this sort of leather. All of these titles suggest that it is a leather replacement rather than genuine leather. Before it is ready, synthetically manufactured leather must go through many steps. The production of synthetic leather may be done using a variety of techniques. The synthetic leather market has many driving factors, but the biggest one is that it does not involve animal killing or no animal is harmed. But synthetic leather also has many harmful effects on nature because of the use of PU and PVC in it, which acts as a restraint for the market. To reduce this negative impact, bio-based synthetic leather is being developed by some industries, which is thought to be a major opportunity for the market in the upcoming years.
As of 2025, the global synthetic leather market continues to be driven by rising consumer demand for animal-free and sustainable alternatives. The surge in popularity of vegan footwear, accessories, and upholstery—especially among younger, eco-conscious consumers—is pushing brands to replace traditional leather with PU or bio-based synthetic leather. This material not only mimics the texture and appearance of real leather but also requires less intensive processing. It can be manufactured in large volumes and tailored to different applications, offering flexibility across fthe ashion, automotive, and interior design industries. Manufacturers also benefit from its scalability, as synthetic leather can be produced in continuous rolls, unlike natural hides, which are size-restricted.
Additionally, advances in bio-based and biodegradable synthetic leather are beginning to enter the mainstream. These innovations are helping manufacturers reduce dependence on petroleum-based inputs while aligning with stricter global sustainability targets.
Despite its growing popularity, synthetic leather, particularly PVC-based, still raises environmental and health concerns. PVC production releases harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming and poor air quality. Disposal is also an issue, as synthetic leather does not biodegrade easily. Moreover, concerns around off-gassing from freshly manufactured items continue to impact consumer perception, especially in premium segments. These environmental challenges have led to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies and environmental groups, pushing manufacturers to explore cleaner alternatives like water-based PU or plant-based composites.
Recent global events have significantly influenced the synthetic leather supply chain:
U.S. Trade Tariffs: Ongoing tariffs on Chinese imports, along with stricter trade policies, have increased raw material costs for manufacturers in North America. This has encouraged some brands to localize their supply chains or shift sourcing to Southeast Asia.
Russia-Ukraine War: The conflict continues to disrupt the European energy and petrochemical supply chain, affecting the availability and pricing of synthetic leather inputs. European producers have seen rising production costs and occasional delays due to transportation instability.
Israel-Palestine Conflict: Tensions in the Middle East have disrupted some regional trade routes and impacted export logistics, particularly for suppliers reliant on Gulf region ports. While the direct effect on synthetic leather production has been limited, logistics and shipping timelines have been affected.
By Type:
PU-based leather remains the dominant type, favored for its soft feel, breathability, and resemblance to genuine leather. It continues to be the preferred material in wearable applications like clothing and footwear.
PVC-based leather offers durability and affordability, making it common in furniture and automotive upholstery, although it faces growing environmental scrutiny.
Bio-based leather is emerging as a fast-growing segment, fueled by R&D investment and consumer demand for green materials.
By Application:
Footwear leads in terms of market share, driven by the need for water-resistant, affordable, and stylish alternatives to leather.
Clothing and accessories (bags, wallets, etc.) follow closely, with increasing use in fashion lines by both mass-market and premium brands.
Automotive upholstery remains a strong application area, as electric vehicle (EV) makers seek sustainable interior solutions.
The Asia Pacific region continues to dominate the global synthetic leather market in 2025, with China, India, South Korea, and Vietnam leading production and exports. The region benefits from cost-effective manufacturing, a strong industrial base, and increasing domestic demand.
North America and Europe are witnessing steady growth, driven by eco-conscious consumers and regulatory pressure to phase out harmful plastics like PVC.
Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging markets, with growing manufacturing capacities and rising demand in footwear and automotive segments.
Some of the main competitors dominating the global synthetic leather market include–
Synthetic Leather Market by Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 – 2032)
Synthetic Leather Market by Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 – 2032)
Synthetic Leather Market by Region Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 – 2032)
| Synthetic Leather Market Report Scope | |
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market Size Value in 2024 | USD 42.21 billion |
| Revenue Forecast in 2030 | USD 76.97 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 7.8 % from 2025 to 2032 |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Data | 2018 – 2024 |
| Forecast Years | 2025 – 2032 |
| Quantitative Units | Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2025 to 2032 |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, Trends competitive landscape, and growth factors |
| Segments Covered | Type, Application, and Region |
| Regional Scope | North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa |
| Country Scope | U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Mexico and Others |
| Key Companies Profiled | Kuraray Co., Ltd.; H.R. Polycoats Pvt. Ltd.; Alfatex Italia SRL; Filwel Co., Ltd.; Yantai Wanhua Synthetic Leather Group Co., Ltd.; San Fang Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.; Mayur Uniquoters Limited; Teijin Limited; Nan Ya Plastics Corporation |
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