PU leather or Bicast leather is not vegan-friendly. High-quality Leather usually uses the “top” layer of the hide, PU Leather or Bicast leather uses the inner splits of the hide

1. What is PU Leather | PU leather vegan
What is Pu leather? - Is it vegan leather?
Can’t get a straight answer about this on the internet? Read
on...
PU leather or Bicast leather is not vegan-friendly. High-quality
Leather usually uses the “top” layer of the hide, PU Leather or
Bicast leather uses the inner splits of the hide. It is still derived
from the hides of animals. PU leather is then usually finished
with a polyurethane coating, which is why sometimes it is
called artificial leather because of this plastic-like coating,
however, make no mistake, it still comes from animal hides.
Making it is about as vegan-friendly as “Genuine Leather.”
How to spot Pu leather?

2. If you have a label handy, you would think it would be easy to
spot PU leather, think again, in an attempt to create as much
confusion around what it is PU leather vegan isn't always
described as such.
Also look out for:
 By cast Leather or BiCast Leather
 Bonded Leather
 Split Leather
 Corrected Grain Leather
 Reconstituted Leather
What if there is no label?
If your product doesn't happen to have a label handy, you can
also look out for these signs to see if it is genuine leather...
There is chemical or plastic smell from the product,
especially if its straight out the packaging, the polyurethane
coating gives a plastic-like smell to it
It's cheaper, because of its lack of quality it's often a fraction
of the price. If you're thinking it’s too good to be true when it
comes to leather it probably is.
It wears badly over time, genuine leather like a fine wine gets
better over time, developing marks and patinas giving it that
vintage feel. PU Leather has that plastic coating, which wears,
cracks and reveals the fabric underneath.
It doesn't look genuine if your thinking there is something
odd about this leather it's probably PU or Bicast leather which
always looks second grade.

3. Why use PU Leather?
This leather is often an effective alternative to “high-quality
leathers” because they are more cost-effective, often costing a
fraction of the price it’s easy for people to buy who want that
leather look but don't want to pay as much as good quality
leather costs, however it usually isn't as cost effective as you
might think. For furniture that is used daily, it’s often perfect
because it’s easy to clean spills as the leather is coated with
a polyurethane coating to make it water resistant.
Combine this with the fact that it can be advertised both as
leather and synthetic leather and you have yourself a product
that is ideal for “mass Consumers” or those looking for vegan
alternatives to leather.
Is it as good as "Genuine" leathers or leather alternatives?

4. As with most cheaper alternatives, it's price has an impact and
almost direct correlation on the quality and longevity of the
product. PU leather, unlike real leather, is not breathable so
ideally is not great for use in clothes, however, it does seem like
a cheaper alternative.
Although the initial outlay is less expensive PU Leather often
doesn't wear as well, in fact, genuine leather develops mark
and patinas overtime creating that vintage look whereas Faux,
PU and Bicast often crack revealing the inferior fabric
underneath.
So what vegan leathers can I use? What is a good
alternative to leather?
Looking for something that is just as durable, waterproof and
ages like a fine wine over time?
Try out waxed canvas, a material that is quickly gaining
traction in vegan communities as a more eco-friendly
alternative to leathers
Developed by Scottish sailors, over 200 years ago, it was
bespoken to withstand the harsh Atlantic ocean whilst being
waterproof; it has stood the test of time and is now one of the
oldest, still in use materials in the world. Whilst being durable,
rugged and long-lasting it also ages beautifully, like leather,
developing distinguished mark and patinas over time to give it
a unique vintage look