ICTYOS combines the traditional know-how of a French tannery with an eco-responsible approach by transforming fish skins from the food industry into very high quality sea leathers.

In order to guarantee the highest quality of sea hides, ICTYOS tanning processes require a careful selection of the finest fish skins from our French agri-food partners.
To control the traceability of supplies, ICTYOS relies on a network of local partners and reduces its carbon footprint thanks to this short circuit. By recovering skins that were initially destined for destruction, ICTYOS does not increase fishing and use smartly the available resources in an upcycling logic.
ICTYOS favours vegetable tannins composed of leaves, roots or fruits to minimise the impact on deforestation.

- Recycling of sea skins
- No breeding for skin
- No endangered species

ICTYOS sea leathers are developed and produced in our tannery in Lyon. The Squama®, high quality scaled salmon leather, the sturgeon leather and the carp leather are tanned in compliance with the European REACH standard guaranteeing the absence of harmful, toxic or polluting elements in our processes

1 THE CHOICE OF SKINS
Each skin is rigorously selected according to the regilarity of its grain and scales, among a choice of fish skins raised in exemplary conditions.

2 THE RIVER
The skins are added in a drum and the transformation process begins. River baths are performed in order to purify the skins and to prepare them for tanning while removing the scales.

3 TANNING
The tanning of the hides is one of the most important steps in the ICTYOS manufacturing process. This step will make the skin eternal and avoid its natural degradation. Depending on the desired characteristics (softness, resistance, color), we use organic tannins such as mimosa, chestnut or quebracho.
VEGETAL TANNING
- Chrome free and metal free
- Hypoallergenical leathers
- Woody smell

4 RETANNING
This indispensable step brings its final properties to the leather. Thanks to oils, the leathers are nourished and get the right suppleness, by dyeing, the leathers are evenly and deeply coloured. Once colored, the leathers are matured, extended and then air-dried.

5 SOFTENING
The leather is relaxed by the passage through a softening machine. A mastered pressure is applied on the leather by means of the rounded blades of a jerking wheel.

6 FINISHING
The finishing step is composed of several meticulous gestures which provides the surface of the leather with a shiny or matt aspect and ensures a good resistance overtime.