New guide on leather’s environmental impact: a key step towards transparency and sustainability 1

New guide on leather’s environmental impact: a key step towards transparency and sustainability

Original content by: Leather Naturally

Sustainability is a growing priority in the leather industry. As the sector moves toward more responsible practices, having reliable tools to assess environmental impact is essential. In this context, Leather Naturally has released the guide «All About LCAs: How to Assess the Environmental Impact of Leather», a valuable resource that clarifies how Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) work and their role in measuring sustainability.

LCAs provide a scientific method to evaluate a material’s environmental footprint, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life disposal. However, their complexity and the variations in methodologies often lead to misinterpretations. This guide explains the fundamentals of LCAs, emphasizing the importance of a transparent and standardized approach to measuring leather’s environmental impact. It highlights how different methodologies influence results and why using consistent, science-based data is crucial to avoid misleading conclusions. Additionally, it addresses how leather compares to alternative materials, providing a clearer picture of its environmental performance.

The publication of this guide represents a significant step towards greater transparency and trust in the leather sector. By promoting the correct use of LCAs, it enables brands, manufacturers, and consumers to make informed decisions based on accurate data rather than misconceptions. At Splenda Leather, we are committed to sustainability and support initiatives that contribute to a more responsible and transparent industry. Understanding the real impact of leather is essential to fostering a more conscious and fact-based discussion about materials and their sustainability.

You can download the guide HERE.

And You can read the original article HERE.

Leather exports are today 12.4% higher than before the pandemic 3

Leather exports are today 12.4% higher than before the pandemic

Content published by: LederPiel

During the first quarter of 2022, Spanish foreign sales of tanned hides were well above pre-covid-19 pandemic levels. Like processed hides, exports of semi-tanned hides were also well above what they were in 2019, before lockdowns and travel restrictions. Only sales of raw hides showed negative figures in relation to the first quarter of 2019.

In this way, according to data from the General Directorate of Customs, during the first three months of 2022 compared to 2021, exports of raw skins grew by 14.6 percent (5.1 million euros more), those of semi-tanned skins soared 19.5 percent (3 million euros more) and those of tanned skins increased 34 percent (25.5 million euros more).

If we compare the accumulated figures for 2022 with those of 2020, Spanish exports of raw skins rose by 4.1 percent; those of semi-tanned skins, 28.1 percent, and those of tanned skins, 16 percent. In relation to the first quarter of 2019, months prior to the new coronavirus crisis, sales of raw skins fell by 1.9 percent, while semi-tanned skins increased by 42.2 percent and of tanned hides rose 12.4 percent.

Imports
Regarding imports of hides and leather, during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous year, purchases abroad of raw skins increased by 42.3 percent (5.1 million euros more); the import of semi-tanned skins, 52.7 percent (9.4 million euros more) and, finally, those of tanned skins, 53.4 percent (22.7 million euros more).

In relation to the accumulated figures of 2020, imports of raw hides decreased by 4.9 percent, while those of semi-tanned skins increased by 15.7 percent and those of tanned skins, by 9.9 percent. In relation to the first quarter of 2019, imports of raw skins increased by 3.7 percent and semi-tanned skins, by 18.3 percent, while those of tanned skins fell by 20.4 percent.

Consequently, the leather trade balance in the first quarter of 2022 showed an imbalance in general terms in favor of exports of 49.9 million euros.

You can access the original post HERE.