Why Do Raw Materials Affect Synthetic Leather Pricing?

Buyers often wonder why prices change even when the color looks the same. The truth? Different material formulas lead to huge cost differences.

Raw material quality—PVC resin grade, PU resin type, plasticizers, and additives—directly affects durability and price. Higher-grade, eco-friendly formulas cost more but deliver better aging resistance, flexibility, and stability.

Raw materials are the foundation of synthetic leather. PVC resin with higher purity or PU resin with better molecular structure always costs more because they perform better in heat resistance, softness, and environmental stability. Plasticizers (which affect softness), stabilizers (which affect aging resistance), flame-retardant additives, and anti-UV agents all add to cost.

Eco-friendly materials—such as low-VOC formulas or REACH-compliant chemical systems—also raise the price. For B2B buyers like sofa factories, automotive manufacturers, and distributors, choosing better materials can prevent cracking, peeling, and color fading.

So yes—two leathers may look the same, but their internal formulas can be worlds apart, just like instant noodles versus a real chef’s ramen.

How Does Thickness Influence the Price?

Some buyers ask for “just a little thicker,” but thickness is not free—it directly changes production cost and raw material usage.

Thicker synthetic leather requires more coating layers, more resin, and longer production time. As thickness increases, price rises due to material consumption and manufacturing difficulty.

Thickness affects cost more than most buyers expect. Whether it’s PVC synthetic leather or PU leather, thickness is created through multiple coating or lamination steps. Each additional 0.1 mm means more resin, longer drying time, and sometimes additional machine passes.

For high-thickness projects like belts, furniture edges, or automotive interiors, factories must adjust coating formulas to prevent cracking. That means more labor, slower production, and higher QA requirements.

So when a customer says, “Can you make it 1.5 mm instead of 1.0 mm?” the factory quietly hears: “Please use 30–40% more material and more time.” Thick leather is great—but it can’t be cheap.