Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the drying of leather where an improved uniform distribution of the desired residual moisture content is obtained and a reproducible setting of the moisture content is effected in a capable and powerful method. The leather is subjected to an absorption heating with an electromagnetic wave field in a frequency region of from 0.3 to about 30 GHz. During or alternating with this application, the material to be treated is subjected to a treatment pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The application of the microwave absorption device in connection with lowered pressure results in the required and desired properties of the leather with respect to residual moisture content. Furthermore, an improvement of the flexibility and handling capabilities of the leather results because of the generation of heat inside of the leather.