Manufacturing
 

Anything but a natural product

The problem does not end with the death of the fur animals. The manufacturing of fur is very demanding and the methods and tools used have a negative impact on the environment and the local population. Fur is not only a problem with regard to animal protection but also an ecological problem.

 

Skinning

In Central Europe, most of the fur animals bred on farms, i.e. foxes and minks, reach their fur maturity in November and December. One day before they are killed, the animals are not fed, so that their fur not be soiled by their excrements. Ideally, the fur is skinned when the animal’s body has cooled down and rigor mortis has set in. However, because fur producers wish to skin as many animals as possible in as little time as possible, often enough, animals are skinned while they are still alive.

 

Degreasing

Degreasing machines and apparatus are used to remove the grease from the skin side of the fur. The excessive fat is due to overfeeding and a lack of movement of the imprisoned animals. The fat will partially be used in further industrial processing.

 

Tanning

It takes approx. 140 production steps to make the fur of an animal durable, soft and silky and to gain supple leather. Tanning and the processing of furs (splitting, creasing, dyeing, pigmenting, etc.) requires the use of up to 100 – in part – highly toxic chemicals. In low-wage countries that produce cheap furs, there is often a lack of laws and regulations, which leads to a poisoning of the local population and the waters. The finished products often prove to be health hazards.

 

The fur industry

Pelzverarbeitung
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