It cannot be determined when and were artificial leather was invented. However, roughly 100 years ago, the case and surface of instrument handles and cameras were covered with coated textiles, which looks like a smooth leather surface. Since then, the Artificial leather industry came into existence. The global Artificial Leather market in 2015 was valued at 22.13 billion USD and it is projected to reach 33.54 billion USD by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.20% from 2016 to 2021.

Since leather is an expensive material and, because of the grain structure and natural markings and the irregular outer contour of leather skin, the wastage cost incurred during the cutting process is very high. Therefore, attempts were constantly made to develop materials that mimic the texture of natural  leather.

As time passes, the manufacturers succeeded very well in imitating a leather surface. Thus, Artificial leather—known colloquially as faux leather, imitation leather, and pleather—has been viewed as having several advantages over real leather. Artificial leather is used in almost all Industries and lifestyle related products: Footwear, Fashion, furniture, or vehicle upholstery."