SHAGREEN METAL FURNITURE  AT VIETNAM METAL HARDWARE CO., LTD

SHAGREEN METAL FURNITURE 

Finishing: Brass Antique Finish, wrapped by Faux Shagreen  Turtle Green. Pantone 17-0330 TPX

Quality Standard:

- ISO 9227:2017 & ASTM-D3359-17

- PROP 65 (California – US) &  LEAD (US: 116 CFR Part 1303 – Lead in Paint ≤ 90 ppm)

- EU: REACH / ECHA – Lead restrictions

Manufacturer: Vietnam Metal Hardware CO.,LTD

Designed custom-made by Vietnam Metal Furniture Co., Ltd

Project: Vietnam High End Metal Furniture, Vietnam Metal Hardware

Material: Mix Steel Iron & PVD brass Titanium on Stainless Steel with Faux Shagreen

Country of origin: Vietnam

1. Production instruction:

Learn how to make Backgammon game table from material: steel iron and brass PVD on Stainless Steel 304, mixed Shagreen
Step 1: Design based on the demand in 3D solidwork software, then transform to Design for Manufacturing. Important step to finalise the design to avoid miss connecting between IDEA and REAL PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE
Step 2: Laser cutting, Manual Welding, Manual adjustment, Manual Grinding, Manual Polishing on both Steel Iron and Stainless Steel. This is very important to make sure all corners, connecting joints, should be smooth and balance
Step 3: Brass PVD Titanium Coating apply on stainess steel 304; together with anti-rust prevention on steel iron before Shagreen Covered or Shagreen Wrapped
Step 4: Making Shagreen in different texture which can easily found at https://vietmetalhardware.com/shagreen to select the suitable texture you love. The lifetime of those Shagreen could be last long more than 10 years if pretreatment well on metal furniture based
Step 5: Carefull cutting and wrap Shagreen onto smooth surface. Eliminate all of burr, sharp edges, then do grinding and manual polishing on Shagreen to form some special add-in texture
Step 6: Painting high quality chemical compound to protect surface of Shagreen, also to cover all of the minor gap from cutting edges of Shagreen. Mimic all of the minor holes to match with overal texture of Shagreen
Step 7: Keep drying within minimum 4 hours before packaging on cartonbox or wood cratering to avoid any shaking during transportation by air or sea freight
Contact for your inquiry of
- OEM Vietnam metal hardware: viet.metalhardware@gmail.com or www.vietmetalhardware.com ; www.phukienkimloai.com
- ODM Vietnam Metal Furniture: viet.metalfurniture@gmail.com or www.vietnammetalfurniture.com (under construction)
Whatsapps: +84903060459
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2. Market Demand

Metal shagreen furniture from Vietnam represents a sophisticated fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern industrial design. Vietnam has established itself as a global hub for this niche luxury market, specializing in faux shagreen (also known as galuchat) applied to metal frames to create high-end "jewelry for the home". 

Core Characteristics

• Material Combination: These pieces typically feature a metal structure (often stainless steel or brass) combined with faux shagreen panels. Faux shagreen is a textured leather or high-quality resin designed to mimic the distinctive granular pattern of stingray or shark skin.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The style is heavily influenced by Art Deco and modern luxury trends, emphasizing sleek lines, geometric shapes, and a balance between the organic texture of the shagreen and the cold, reflective surfaces of polished metal.
• Color Palette: Common shagreen colors produced in Vietnam include Turtle Green, Black Caviar, and various shades of grey or ivory, often paired with gold, burnished brass, or mirror-polished steel finishes

Vietnam is a primary source for major international luxury retailers due to its specialized labor force and technical capabilities

• Custom Fabrication (ODM): Many manufacturers, like Vietnam Metal Hardware Co., Ltd, offer Original Design Manufacturing (ODM), creating custom tables, chairs, mirrors, and lighting for hotels and fashion boutiques (e.g., Versace and Christian Louboutin shops).
• Technical Compliance: Export-quality furniture from Vietnam is often manufactured to meet strict international standards, including U.S. Prop 65 and EU REACH regulations regarding lead and chemical safety.
• Durability: Unlike natural shagreen, which can be sensitive to moisture, the high-quality faux alternatives produced in Vietnam are designed for better durability in various climates while maintaining the luxury feel. 

Popular Furniture Types

• Tables: Coffee tables, console tables, and side tables featuring shagreen-inlaid tops and minimalist metal legs.
• Gaming Furniture: Specialized items like shagreen backgammon tables with metal hardware.
• Hardware & Accents: Shagreen is also used for smaller decorative elements like cabinet handles, pulls, and mirror frames. 

3. The manufacturing process for metal shagreen furniture in Vietnam is a multi-stage craft that balances heavy industrial metalwork with delicate, precision-based surfacing. Because authentic stingray skin is small and difficult to work with, many Vietnamese factories specialize in high-end faux shagreen made from cast resins

3.1.  Metal Frame Fabrication

The process begins with the "skeleton" of the piece, typically made from Stainless Steel 304 or brass. 

Cutting & Shaping: Metal tubes or sheets are cut using high-precision lasers or power saws to match 3D designs.

Welding: Components are joined using TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) or MIG welding for clean, structurally sound joints.

Polishing: The frame undergoes multiple rounds of manual grinding and polishing to ensure a mirror-smooth surface. This is critical because any bump on the metal will telegraph through the thin shagreen layer. 

3.2. Shagreen Preparation (Faux or Real)

• Molding (Faux): For resin-based shagreen, liquid polyester resin is poured into a mold taken from a natural stingray skin. Once cured, it becomes a flexible, leather-like sheet.
• Dyeing & Texturing: The material is hand-painted and finished with a patina to create depth and color variation, mimicking the "pearl" pattern of real skin. 

3.3. Application & Wrapping

• This is the most labor-intensive stage, requiring skilled artisans. 
• Precision Cutting: The shagreen sheets are carefully cut to the exact dimensions of the furniture panels using specialized knives.
• Adhesion: A strong, often moisture-resistant adhesive (like epoxy or specialized contact cement) is used to bond the shagreen to the metal or a secondary substrate (like MDF) that is then attached to the frame.

3.4. Final Finishing

• Surface Protection: A high-quality protective topcoat is applied to the shagreen to prevent moisture damage and color fading.
• Metal Treatment: If the metal is stainless steel, it may undergo PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) to achieve a durable gold or brass finish.
• Curing: The finished piece is left to dry and stabilize for at least 4 to 24 hours before final inspection and packaging

4. California Proposition 65 and EU REACH

Metal shagreen furniture from Vietnam meets California Proposition 65 and EU REACH standards through specialized material selection and rigorous third-party testing. Because these regulations target hazardous chemicals like lead, phthalates, and formaldehyde, Vietnamese manufacturers have adapted their "faux" shagreen and metal-bonding processes to ensure compliance for international luxury markets. 

4.1 Meeting California Proposition 65

To comply with California Proposition 65, which requires warnings for products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm, Vietnamese exporters focus on the following:

• Lead-Free Hardware: Manufacturers use solid brass or stainless steel hardware that is tested to stay below strict lead thresholds.
• Safe Adhesive Systems: The resins and glues used to bond shagreen to metal are formulated without listed phthalates or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Third-Party Verification: Leading labs like SGS Vietnam and Bureau Veritas Vietnam provide analytical testing to determine if chemical exposure levels require a warning label. 

4.2. Satisfying EU REACH Regulations

EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) focuses on "Substances of Very High Concern" (SVHC). Vietnamese production satisfies these by:

• Chemical Substitution: Replacing restricted plasticizers in faux shagreen resin with REACH-compliant alternatives.
• Lead Restrictions: Ensuring all consumer-facing metal parts contain less than 0.05% lead by weight, as mandated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
• Supply Chain Documentation: Exporters maintain full documentation and traceability data for raw materials to pass EU customs inspections, which are tightening as of 2025. 

5. Market Dynamics & Size

• Global Positioning: Vietnam has jumped from 13th to 6th place among the world's largest furniture producers by value as of 2024. The broader Vietnamese furniture market is valued at approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion, with specialized luxury segments like metal shagreen growing as part of an 18% annual growth forecast through 2027.
• Export Dominance: Approximately 93% of Vietnam's furniture production is intended for export. The U.S. is the primary buyer, accounting for over 55% of the industry's total export turnover.
• Luxury Shift: There is a significant move toward Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and high-tech finishing, moving away from low-cost mass production toward "jewelry for the home" aesthetics that command premium prices. 
• Emerging Trends & Growth Drivers (2025–2026)
• Sustainable Materials: The market is shifting toward faux shagreen made from renewable resins and recycled metals to meet the demands of eco-conscious luxury consumers.
• Trade Advantages: Vietnam benefits from zero-tariff status to the EU under the EVFTA and remains a more attractive alternative to China for U.S. buyers due to ongoing trade tensions and high tariffs on Chinese goods.
• Customization: Rising demand for personalized, bespoke furniture allows Vietnamese manufacturers to leverage their skilled artisan workforce for limited-edition collaborations and unique finishes.