Towards a real green transition of the European TCLF industries

Content published by: LederPiel

The future of the European textile, apparel, leather and footwear industries (known by the acronym TCLF) is inevitably going to be increasingly green and digital. This was the main conclusion reached at the meeting held on July 4 in Brussels (Belgium) between representatives of the European employers’ associations for footwear (CEC), tanning (Cotance), textiles (Euratex) and the European union IndustriAll with members of the European Commission.

The meeting resulted in a joint declaration requesting more aid from the European Union so that the TCLF sectors can be “more resilient, sustainable and digital” and be able to “promote sustainable production and consumption in the internal market of Europe”. The goal is to ensure that by 2030 all textile, footwear and leather products marketed in the European Union are “durable and recyclable”. In addition, this strategy includes new design requirements for textile and leather products, clearer product information and a digital product passport, all of which are measures to address the green transition and discourage the destruction of unsold or returned items.

For their part, the TCLF consortium partners asked the European Commission for more funding, legal incentives and support to help the European textile, footwear and leather sectors decarbonise their production and become more circular, as well as initiatives to ensure that workers have adequate training for the future.

For his part, the general secretary of Cotance, Gustavo González-Quijano, points out that “leather is the best example of a circular economy product, since it is the result of recycling an unavoidable waste from meat production. In doing so, European tanners create wealth and jobs for the entire value chain. The green transition? It is our DNA! And leather can and will be even more sustainable, but this must be done hand in hand with our regulators and stakeholders.”

You can access the original post HERE.

Enthusiasm and synergies in Manhattan

Content published by: LINEAPELLE

A concrete level of interest, the establishment of important creative and commercial relationships, the implementation of a series of initiatives that have strengthened the value of working together in an increasingly decisive market for made in italy also in the light of all possible developments of the euro-dollar currency parity.

119 EXHIBITORS

LINEAPELLE NEW YORK took place on 13 and 14 July 2022 in the usual exhibition spaces of the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan. 119 exhibiting companies, 60 from Italy and 59 from abroad (one of which, Splenda Leather), divided as follows in terms of product categories: 91 tanneries, 8 manufacturers of accessories and components, 13 of fabrics and synthetics, and 7 of chemicals and other types. Reference season: Autumn-Winter 2023-2024, in which the exhibitors, taking their cue from the trends developed by the Lineapelle Fashion Committee, have declined in the first collection launches.

ENTHUSIASM IN MANHATTAN

“The positive, sometimes enthusiastic comments,” says CEO Fulvia Bacchi, “of almost all exhibitors confirm the need for an event like Lineapelle New York, whose fixed presence in the American market for over 20 years has served and continues to serve to make our Made in Italy products known and to stabilise the business relationships of our companies. After the pandemic, we have noticed a clientele that is more attentive to sustainability issues and the added value that our products can provide, as well as a marked increase in interest on the part of the furniture and design destination”. The exhibitors confirm: that the two days of LINEAPELLE NEW YORK made it possible to further engage the interest of the US market, which was already very active, and to assess its initial sensations in the light of the currency parity achieved, for the first time in twenty years, between the euro and the dollar. The show, therefore, activated a networking opportunity with established top brands and many potential new customers and start-ups looking for solutions to differentiate their supplier network in Europe and, above all, Italy.

NEW HORIZONS
“This New York City event is a designer’s dream,” wrote a LINEAPELLE NEW YORK buyer in one of her Instagram stories, posted during her visit to the Metropolitan Pavilion. It is an excellent summary of how the show has opened up new horizons, offering some much-appreciated promotional activities that have hit the mark. Like the exclusive One To One Meetings that involved customers and stakeholders at the fair. Their title explains the reason for their sell-out: Responsible Italian Leather Lounge. An analytical communication project on the green power and innovative and responsible value of Italian leather went hand in hand with the presentations held behind closed doors the day before Lineapelle New York (12 July 2022) with a group of US interior designers.

LINEAPELLE LONDON AND LINEAPELLE 100
Having closed LINEAPELLE NEW YORK, the industry’s gaze shifts first to London and then to Milan. On Tuesday 6 September 2022, in fact, LINEAPELLE LONDON will return, presenting the Fall-Winter 2023-2024 trends in the usual setting of the Ham Yard Hotel. It will be an exciting prelude to the 100th edition of LINEAPELLE, scheduled to take place at Fieramilano Rho from 20 to 22 September 2022. A significant milestone will project the show into a new dimension. An event that goes beyond the usual exhibition perimeter enters the city with a series of activities, builds further synergies, and proposes itself as a catalyst of interest capable of involving, stimulating, and projecting into the future the entire supply sector for the fashion and luxury industry.

You can read the original post HERE.

A successful green and digital transition of the EU textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear industries

Content published by: COTANCE

The European social partners of the  textiles, clothing, leather, and footwear (TCLF) industries agree joint demands to ensure that the textiles ecosystem can become more resilient, sustainable, and digital as set out in the EU textiles strategy. This involves tackling strategic dependencies, appropriate funding, incentives and support to help the European TCLF sectors decarbonise their production and become more circular, and initiatives to ensure that workers have the right skills for the future.

Employers’ and workers’ representatives for the European TCLF sectors, CEC, Cotance, Euratex and industriAll Europe recently met with the European Commission to discuss how to ensure a successful green and digital transition of the EU Textiles Ecosystem. During the meeting, national and European social partners adopted a JOINT STATEMENT setting out clear demands for the TCLF sectors to become more resilient, sustainable, and digital.

The joint statement follows the European Commission’s EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles and the launch of co-creation process towards a transition pathway for a more resilient, sustainable and digital textiles ecosystem (TCLF sectors). The transition pathway recognises the need to build a resilient textiles ecosystem, based on innovation and global competitiveness, noting that the European TCLF sectors face tough global competition, and that measures are needed to encourage sustainable production and consumption in Europe’s internal market.

The strategy aims to ensure that by 2030, the ecosystem’s products placed on the EU market are long-lived and recyclable, while the industry moves from a linear to a circular business model. Initiatives in the strategy include new design requirements for textiles and leather products under the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Initiative, clearer information on products and a Digital Product Passport, measures to tackle greenwashing, and action to discourage the destruction of unsold or returned articles.

As a response, the TCLF social partners have agreed on specific joint demands to ensure that the ecosystem can become more resilient, sustainable, and digital. These include decisive action by Member States and the EU to tackle strategic dependencies, appropriate funding, sound metrics, legal incentives and support to help the European TCLF sectors decarbonise their production and become more circular, and initiatives to ensure that workers have the right skills for the future.

Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, Secretary General of Cotance, said that “Leather is the best example of a circular economy product, as it is the result of recycling an unavoidable residue of meat production. In doing so, European tanners create wealth and jobs for an entire value chain! The “Green Transition”? It’s our DNA! And leather can and will become even more sustainable, but this needs to be done hand in hand with our regulators and stakeholders.”

The European TCLF social partners agreed to continue their good cooperation including during the co-creation process towards a transition pathway for a more resilient, sustainable and digital textiles ecosystem (TCLF sectors) noting the importance of quality sectoral social dialogue

You can read the original post HERE.

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.

10 FAQs about leather

Content published by: Leather Naturally

Are animals killed for leather?

No, hides come from animals raised for food. This accounts for 99% of the world’s leather.

The main sources of animal hides are cattle – 69%; sheep – 13%; goats – 11%, and pigs – 6%. Their skins are a valuable global resource and, thanks to tanners’ and manufacturers’ skills and knowledge, they ensure this versatile material does not end up in landfill. Current estimates put this at a saving of 7.3 million tonnes for cattle hides alone and around 10 million tonnes in total per year. That is a lot of potential waste being transformed into a versatile, usable material.

READ MORE

Is leather sustainable?

Yes. It converts waste from the food industry that would be otherwise thrown away, to make products we use in everyday life.

• Leather keeps around 10 million tonnes out of landfill a year

• Leather is long-lasting

• Leather products are repairable

• Leather can be recycled

• At its end-of-life phase, leather degrades through chemical and biological means

• The leather industry creates employment and skills for millions worldwide, an important defining factor in sustainability and the circular economy.

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Is leather environmentally friendly?

Leather is a highly versatile, widely used material. Responsibly made, it is highly regulated and certified with strong environmental credentials. Leather is a by-product of the food industry that saves around 10 million tonnes of waste from landfill every year.

There are strict requirements regarding the use of chemicals in the leather industry. It is restricted by legal requirements and by many voluntary industrial initiatives which are committed to eliminating potentially harmful substances from the supply chain.

The leather industry has established certified standards that consumers can use to better understand the provenance of the leather and leather products they buy.

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Where does leather come from?

Leather is made from the hides of animals, treated and finished to create a durable product suitable for a huge range of uses.

The main sources of animal hides are: Cattle – 69% Sheep – 13% Goat – 11% Pig – 6%

These animals are not raised to make leather. Their hides are a by-product of being raised for food and, transforming them into leather ensures that a valuable resource does not contribute to the waste and environmental impact of landfill.

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What is Vegan leather?

Vegan leather (sic) does not exist. It is a marketing term and any material that is not of animal origin can be labelled as ‘vegan’.

It is important to realise that the ‘vegan’ tag does not necessarily mean ‘natural’, ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’, nor does it necessarily provide the same wear and durability qualities as real leather.

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How is leather made?

Leather making is generally referred to as tanning, but actually has five key operations:

• Cleaning

• Tanning

• Retanning

• Milling

• Finishing

Hides and skins that are a waste by-product from the food industry account for 99% of the worlds leather. In a circular economy, transforming this waste into a versatile everyday material is the most responsible thing to do.

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What is vegetable tanned leather?

Vegetable tanning is the oldest tanning method, it uses extracts from wood, and nuts of trees and shrubs. Responsible suppliers will ensure these are from a sustainable source. It usually takes longer to tan leather using this method, but the result is a leather with distinctive aesthetic and handle that ages beautifully.

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What is Chrome tanned leather?

About 75% of leather made today is chrome tanned. The process uses trivalent chromium (Cr III), which is a safe substance that also represents an essential part of our diet with many people taking daily supplements that contain it.

Best practices of chrome tanning use half the chemicals required by other methods and produces effluent content below legal requirements. Chrome tanning produces consistent leathers that can be used or worn year after year without any loss of properties.

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Can leather be recycled?

Yes. Leather fibreboard is made by grinding up old leather and is used in shoes to create insoles and heel inserts and leather trimmings are used as stuffing for items such as punch bags. New composite materials are also being developed that incorporate ground up leather.

Increasingly companies developing ways of using the leather trimmings that result from production and businesses that repurpose leather products into something new, enabling them to be recycled and reused.

READ MORE

How long does leather last

Well-made and cared for leather products will last generations. This longevity together with repairability means that leather can make an important contribution to a society that is looking to consume less, and repair and reuse more.

READ MORE

You can access the original post HERE.

Are animals killed for leather?

Content published by: Leather Naturally

Are animals killed for leather? The answer is simple: no, hides come from animals raised for food. This accounts for 99% of the world’s leather.

Leather is a natural by-product

The main sources of animal hides are cattle – 69%; sheep – 13%; goats – 11%, and pigs – 6%. Their skins are a valuable global resource and, thanks to tanners’ and manufacturers’ skills and knowledge, they ensure this versatile material does not end up in landfill. Current estimates put this at a saving of 7.3 million tonnes for cattle hides alone and around 10 million tonnes in total per year. That is a lot of potential waste being transformed into a versatile, usable material.

Leather is versatile

Leather manufacturers upcycle this raw material and exploit its tremendous versatility. Depending on the source of the hide or skin and finish used, they can create sumptuous-yet-tough footwear, handbags and clothing, and durable-yet-comfortable car and aviation seating and furniture. Leather can be made hard enough for the sole of shoes or soft enough for the finest gloves.

Leather is long lived

The leather from one animal can provide many years’ worth of practical applications and pleasure. Well cared for with oils, creams and pigments products, repaired and reused, leather items will last for decades. Think of all the vintage leather jackets, shoes and bags; libraries lined with ancient leather-bound books, and hardwearing saddles and bridles used by generations.

Leather is Biodegradable

Leather is biodegradable; it decomposes on the environment in 25 to 45 years. Plastics take hundreds of years to biodegrade and produce microplastics that are damaging to the environment.

Leather is sustainable

Sustainability is one of leather’s really strong suits. Not only does the leather industry upcycle raw materials from the food industry, not only is it a renewable and recyclable resource, but its full lifecycle has a low carbon and water footprint.

Leather supports local economies

Its manufacture helps support economies across the world where tanning and associated industries are vital elements in creating livelihoods that help to pull millions of people out of poverty.

Leather is responsibly governed

Nearly every country in the world makes leather and the vast majority do so in a transparent, responsible manner. The chemical used in leather production are highly regulated. The Leather Working Group (LWG) is a global organization that has developed an environmental audit standard to help everyone understand how their leather was made.
Leather Naturally speaks for the responsibly produced leather around the world in that its processes are highly regulated, governance is enforced and inspected, and standards have been striven for, achieved – and maintained.

For more information read the FAQ on The Sustainability of Leather

You can read the original content HERE.

Water, waste and a wish for the future

Content published by: Leather International

Over the years, the industrial activity of leather tanning has been criticised for its contribution to environmental pollution, particularly when it comes to the contamination of water bodies. Tanneries consume large amounts of water that is used with strongly alkaline and highly acidic mixtures, chromium salts and sulphides in the tanning process, so the potential for toxic substances to leak into rivers has drawn the eye of industry critics.

The treatment of hides involves many aqueous steps with discontinuous discharges, generating high volumes of effluents that require costly and time-consuming treatment to satisfy emission standards laid down by national and international legislation.

Furthermore, the amount of water used in the tanning process has also drawn criticism. Water is, after all, a precious resource and, in some parts of the world, a scarce commodity. Consequently, industry players have a shared obligation not to take the availability of clean water for granted.

Although the industry has made great efforts to reduce water consumption and prevent the discharge of harmful effluents into the water supply, its image is still tarnished in the eyes of some observers by its past failures to manage water usage in an sustainable manner. Now, it is time for public perception to catch up with how the industry is changing.

A footprint in the water

In a tannery, the many phases of conditioning and preparing the hide for tanning, as well as the transportation and fixation of tanning substances, require water. The beamhouse process where hides are made ready for tanning is, by far, the most intense process in terms of water usage. A 2019 study found that during the beamhouse process, between 7m3 and 25m3 of water is used per tonne of hides, and between 1m3 and 3m3 is used in the tanning process.

In most instances, fresh water is used for the diffusion of chemical products and the extraction of undesirable materials from the hide. The result is a significant drain on local fresh water resources. The industry’s water footprint is large, even if one disregards the water used in the raising of cattle. It is estimated that worldwide water consumption in the leather industry is around 400 billion litres annually.

If the industry is serious about improving resource efficiency, both for reasons of environmental management and cost reduction, then water use must be near the top of the list of priorities.

A tannery’s water footprint is the total amount of direct and indirect water use involved in its processes. It comprises many different elements, starting with the blue water footprint, which represents the amount of surface water and groundwater required by the tannery. Next, there is the green water footprint, which is the amount of rainwater required, and then the grey water footprint, which represents the amount of freshwater required to mix and dilute pollutants enough to maintain water quality according to certain standards.

Once measured, all of these factors can be managed. It is incumbent on the industry to apply best practice technologies and implement effective water management techniques, but this can only be done effectively when the scale and detail of the problem are fully understood.

Indeed, a 2019 paper in the Journal of Environmental Management, entitled ‘Water reuse: An alternative to minimise the environmental impact on the leather industry’, highlighted some of the systems that can help tanneries reduce the amount of wastewater they produce that contains high concentrations of contaminants and reduce the total amount of water used in the tanning process.

Among these, the overriding concept is the reuse of wastewater. The key concern is the release of the pollutant chromium into the environment, and reuse tests on both pilot schemes and an industrial scale have shown that reuse techniques, when properly evaluated, can both reduce water demand and minimise the disposal of the wastewater with chromium.

Reduce, recycle, reuse

For some tanners, the results of an intense focus on water usage and contamination have yielded impressive results and fostered innovative approaches to resource use. Among them is ECCO Leather, which operates four tanneries and two beamhouses, as well as wastewater treatment facilities in all of its tanneries to ensure that we release only clean water back into the environment.

As one of the steps in the tanning process, ECCO has developed DriTan, which uses the moisture already present in the hides. With results that are indistinguishable from traditionally tanned leather in terms of quality, characteristics, stability and lead-time, DriTan results in major savings on water, while considerably minimising the discharge of wastewater and the use of chemicals.

At its tannery in the Netherlands alone, ECCO is set to eliminate 600t of sludge per year from its effluent, which translates into 40 truckloads of sludge deposited in landfills per year.

Will tanning eliminate water for good?

ECCO sees DriTan as the first real step towards water-free leather manufacturing. The history of leather tanning goes back around 10,000 years and the process has always involved water, so it may seem inconceivable to some that water-free tanning could be possible. Nevertheless, technologies are emerging that could break the paradigm and revolutionise the industry to the point where we can now seriously ask whether there will one day be a way to tan leather without the use of water.

DriTan only impacts one step of the process, though the company’s vision is to achieve entirely waterless tanning. For that, much more innovation will be required and many stakeholders in the leather making process will need to work together. If they do, the implications of water reduction – or, ultimately, elimination – will also be felt in other key areas of the sustainability agenda.

Using less water results in lower energy costs and creates a tanning process that requires less expenditure on chemicals. Different aspects of sustainability work together to create savings. Nevertheless, transitioning to new systems and processes does come at a cost.

The total water footprint of the leather industry may seem inconsequential compared to an industry such as hydroelectric power, but leather tanning is one of the most water-intensive industries in the world, relative to its size, and critics will always point to the amount of wastewater it produces, often with a heavy pollutant load. Around 95% of the water used by leather producers is subsequently discharged and forwarded for purification, with the remaining 5% evaporating during the production process.

Increasingly stringent environmental legislation around the world will force the industry to look at water usage, particularly from the point of view of contaminants in wastewater, so tanneries will need to start considering the technologies that are emerging to reduce water usage and improve water management. The solutions are there, but they come at a cost. So, the industry will need to look beyond the upfront costs and towards the savings that can be made further down the line.

You can read the original content HERE.

Exports of tanned hides recover their pre-crisis levels

Content published by: Lederpiel

Between January and February 2022, Spanish foreign sales of tanned hides exceeded the levels it marked before the coronavirus crisis broke out. Like processed hides, exports of semi-tanned hides were also well above what they were in 2020, before lockdowns and travel restrictions. Only the sales of raw hides showed negative figures in relation to 2020.

According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, during the first two months of 2022 compared to 2021, exports of raw hides grew by 15.4 percent (3.5 million euros more), those of Semi-tanned hides soared 27.7 percent (2.7 million euros more) and those of tanned hides increased 52.5 percent (21.8 million euros more).

However, if we compare the accumulated figures for 2022 with those of 2020, Spanish exports of raw hides fell by 4.1 percent, while those of semi-tanned hides grew by 15.8 percent and those of tanned hides , by 3 percent.

Imports

Regarding imports of hide and leather, during January and February 2022 compared to the previous year, purchases abroad of raw hides increased by 43.2 percent (3.2 million euros more); the importation of semi-tanned hides, 80.3 percent (8.1 million euros more) and, finally, those of tanned hides, 55.7 percent (14.6 million euros more).

In relation to the accumulated figures of 2020, imports of raw hides decreased by 15.9 percent and those of semi-tanned hides , by 0.7 percent; while those of tanned hides grew by 0.7 percent.

Consequently, the leather trade balance in the first two months of 2022 showed an imbalance in general terms in favor of exports of 32.3 million euros.

You can read the original content HERE.

The difference between synthetic and real leather

Content published by: Leather Naturally

Real leather (leather) is a by-product of the meat industry. It is a natural, renewable material upcycled from the hides and skins that would otherwise go to waste in landfill.

Synthetic ‘leather’ is usually made with synthetic components like PU, nylon, PVC, etc.  to have the same appearance as real leather. Sometimes these materials are labeled ‘Vegan Leather’ because they are not derived from animals. Technically none of them are leather, it is just a marketing shorthand used to describe them. Want to know more about the difference in labelling? Check out our fact sheet Leather & Leather alternatives.

How can I tell the difference between leather and synthetic leather?

Imitation materials usually have a rubbery or ‘shiny’ surface feel, which is uniform in appearance. They are colder to the touch and often there is a ‘plastic’ smell.  Many have a textile backer or middle layer – this can be seen on cut edges. Synthetic materials will also burn more easily than leather, shrinking and curling with the heat.

Real leather usually has a natural ‘grain’ to its surface, but even when finished to be smooth it has a distinctive leather smell. Look for cut edges – you can see the texture and uniformity of the fibres through the leather structure. In more premium leather goods raw edges are finished with colour and polished. Attention to a detail like this is usually a sign that the material is leather.

Many synthetics are printed with a leather grain effect or products are made with a turned construction that hides cuts edges. It can make it hard to tell them apart from the real thing, so how DO you tell the difference and make sure you are getting value for money?

Look for the label

If you are still unsure, look for the label. In the EU and the USA brands have a responsibility to clearly state the composition of materials used in the products they make and sell. If it is leather, the label will say that it is leather. If the material is plastic or polyurethane (PU) it is not permitted to simply use the term ‘synthetic leather’, it must state what that synthetic material is. Sometimes it is referred as Manmade Material, again this is not leather.

In an increasing number of countries, such as Brazil, Italy and Portugal, the term leather may not be used in conjunction with synthetic materials at all.

In the same way, if a material has a plant component, it may not be simply labelled, (for example) ‘Leaf Leather’, it should also state what percentage is plant-based and what percentage is other materials that have been combined with it, (this is usually done to add strength and stability.)

If the label is not clear, it is unlikely that the product is real leather.

How do I make sure I’m getting real leather?

Responsible brands are transparent in the labelling of their products.

Increasingly brands that use leather refer to Leather Working Group (LWG) certification to be open about the origin and best manufacturing practice of the leather they use. Look for this on product details or website descriptions.

If you are not able to access material label claims, you may need to message the brand for more complete information.

Want to know more?

How do I learn more about leather?
The Leather Naturally fact sheet, Everything You Need to Know About Leather looks at where leather comes from, its ability to be recycled and biodegrade as well as sustainability and manufacturing practice.

What does it say on the label?
Making senses of label confusion is clearly explained in the fact sheet, Leather & Leather Alternatives

Want would happen if we stopped using leather?
A study in the USA did the maths – Read the article here

How do synthetic and alternative materials differ in performance from leather?
The Research Institute for Leather & Synthetic Materials (FILK) made a wide-ranging study of the performance benefits of leather and a range of other materials to determine their strength and wear suitability for different products. You can read the full report here.

You can read the original content HERE.

Round table on the biodegradability of leather, organized by Leather Cluster Barcelona

Content published by: Leather Cluster Barcelona

On February 28th, the Leather Cluster Barcelona organized a round table on the biodegradability of leather at the Adoberia Bella in Igualada.

The day generated great interest among the leather industry, bringing together more than 40 people. The event was welcomed by Jordi Vidal, Executive Director of Leather Cluster Barcelona, ​​who thanked the audience and the participation of the speakers for reflecting on one of the major current issues in the leather sector.

Before starting the round table and as an introduction to it, Vidal explained the project that the Puma brand will carry out next May in Germany. Puma will test its biodegradable sneakers on 500 people. They are expected to wear the shoes for six months and then return them to Puma, which will test their biodegradability in the controlled environment of an industrial composting plant.

The speakers then presented different projects and initiatives to expand knowledge about the biodegradability of leather and to assess how biodegradable and compostable leather is compared to other materials.

The round table consisted of:

  • Anna Bacardit from (A3 Leather Innovation Center)
  • Olga Ballús (Chromogeny)
  • Salvador Esquerra (Quimser)
  • Jordi Escabros (Trumpler)
  • Michael Costello (Stahl)

During the interventions of the different speakers, such interesting topics were discussed as the definitions of biodegradability and compostability, what conditions and requirements a leather must meet to be perfectly compostable, the importance of time as a key parameter when talking about biodegradability or differences in biodegradability and compostability of natural leather and treated leather.

The presentation of different business experiences on biodegradability also helped to reflect from the point of view of the motivations of consumers when making their purchases: are buyers just looking for sustainability?

The day ended with an open debate among the attendees in which the importance of the cluster being able to lead and drive a project on the biodegradability of leather with different companies and agents of the value chain of the leather industry. A project that can provide information and value to estimate with scientific rigor in what conditions and time limits are biodegradable and compostable different leather types and what comparative differences we find in terms of biodegradability between leather and synthetics and new materials.

Leather Cluster Barcelona is an environment of competitive cooperation to promote transversal and transformative strategic projects with the aim of boosting the ecosystem of the Catalan leather sector. The cluster is an accredited entity within the Catalonia Clusters program and has the support of ACCIÓ.

You can read the original content HERE.