Leather is naturally flame retardant

As a material, leather is by its nature flame retardant, and that has everything to do with its composition and fibrous structure.

Leather does start smoldering at high temperatures but is highly resistant to ignition... This is the reason it has been – and continues to be - used in high-heat situations. Firefighters still use leather equipment for its remarkable ability to withstand the dangerous situations they work in. The fact that leather resists heat so well also makes it a typical interior choice for trains, airplanes, busses and other modes of public transport.

Though alternative options are available and the standards for flame retardancy have become more strict, leather can achieve high safety standards often augmented with sustainable chemical treatment. Thanks to flame retardant technologies, it has become easy to produce tanned leather for specific applications. 

Find out more about the flame retardancy of leather.