Export industries await news on tariff subsidies

Export-orientated sectors await updates on subsidised electricity and gas tariffs across the textiles, surgical goods, carpet, and leather and sports goods industries, as federal government has failed to issue the notification after the energy tariffs expired on June 30, 2021, BOL News reports.

Credit: Cromogenia

Cromogenia Units joins the ZDHC

Spanish chemical supplier Cromogenia Units has joined the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programme and achieved Level 3, the highest level of certification in terms of good practice, as part of a move towards achieving what the company consider one of its essential values to provide more sustainable and greener chemistry.

Credit: NCBA

Mid-year U.S. cattle inventory declines

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its mid-year cattle inventory report on July 23. It showed the number of cattle and calf in the herd was down by 1.3 million head.

Credit: Apex Tannery

Leather and footwear industry results see significant dip

Profits of listed leather and footwear makers in Bangladesh dropped in 2020 despite the drastic fall in the price of raw materials, as the sales of finished consumer products fell because of the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rampant waste of raw hides and skins after Eid-ul-Azha

Despite fixing a higher price for the animal skins and allowing the export of wet-blue for the first time in 30 years, the Bangladesh government was unable to prevent widespread waste of raw hides and skins. However, the waste was reportedly less than in the previous two Eid-ul-Azha festivals.

DesertSpring leaves

Plant based tanning agent DesertSpring launched

A joint venture between Netherlands-based leather chemicals manufacturer Smit & Zoon, venture building studio Enviu, and Wales-based SN Botanicals has resulted in a plant-based innovation for environmentally friendly tanning for leather.

Indian Eid celebrations result in hide and skin dumping

Following the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations across Kashmir in Northern India, there has been a sharp decline in the collection of raw hides and skins, as people were seen dumping them along roadsides and water bodies in the Indian valley. Usually, they are collected from households by seasonal traders and madrasa/orphanages, who sell the hides which then get tanned.

Credit: Saransh Sinha

Factors holding the Bengaluru leather industry back

Henan Prosper provide humanitarian assistance during floods

Known as the world’s largest wool-on lamb and nappa sheepskin provider, Henan Prosper has provided humanitarian aid to communities suffering as a result of the record-breaking rainfall floods. Located in Mengzhou City, Henan Prosper has not been as negatively affected by the rain and has been able to lend a helping hand.

Credit: Tandy Leather

Tandy Leather fined for faulty inventory tracking

The Texas-based retailer and wholesaler distributor of a broad product line, which includes leather goods and leatherworking tools, along with its former CEO, have been charged with using a faulty inventory tracking system, resulting in inaccurate information being included in its financial statements.

Credit: Fimec

45th Fimec marks a ‘come back’ for the leather-footwear sector

A live, in-person version of the 45^th Fimec (International Fair of Leather, Chemicals, Components, Machines and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries) will take place from March 8-10, 2022, at the Fenac pavilion in Novo Hamburgo/RS, Brazil.

Credit: Michael Gaida

LWG and Textile Exchange agree to reciprocal membership

The Leather Working Group has partnered with the Textile Exchange to grant reciprocal membership of their respective organisations with the aim of driving alignment and facilitating better collaboration and resource sharing.

PrimeAsia China

PrimeAsia’s LCA results spotlight the value of responsibly made leathers

In the second quarter of 2021, PrimeAsia introduced a complete Life Cycle Assessment to its customers and partners internationally. The 12-month project involved the collection of 3000+ data points from 11 different supply chain configurations and five countries.

Largest livestock market re-opens after insecurity closure

Kenya’s largest livestock market was closed following the killing of security personnel in January 2021, but livestock trading in the Nginyang market, Tiaty subcounty, Baringo, has returned after the closure.

Queen Máxima tours Smit & Zoon

Royal predicate for Smit & Zoon

On the occasion of the 200^th anniversary of Dutch chemical specialist company Smit & Zoon, which was reported by ILM, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has granted the company the ‘Royal’ predicate in acknowledgement of its bicentennial and past successes.

Incomplete Savar project causes pollution headache

Since the relocation of tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar, projects such as the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and solid waste management have not yet been completed or handed over, which is hampering both local leather production and exports.

Credit: Kodiak

Kodiak outlines “Built for What Matters” sustainability initiative

Work footwear manufacturer Kodiak is taking steps to reduce its environmental footprint and improve sustainability through a multi-year, multi-faceted initiative called “Built for What Matters.” The initiative focuses on design and manufacturing, incorporating fewer, more sustainable materials and implementing manufacturing processes that are less impactful to the environment.

In My Shoes Project: Grzegorz (20)

Audits, apprenticeships and mentorship are key to footwear industry recruitment

On July 14, 2021, the European Footwear Confederation (CEC), Assocalzaturifici Italiani and IndustriAll Europe Trade Union presented the results of a two-year project supported by the European Social Dialogue programme that aimed to implement best practices contributing to the recruitment and retention of younger generations in the sector. Technological audits in companies, apprenticeship and mentorship schemes were implemented and evaluated in Italy, Portugal, Poland and Spain.

Two Brazilian tanneries will be at Asean Digital Week

The most international leather fair in the world – APLF – will soon hold a digital event for trade promotion. It is the Asean Digital Week, from July 19-23, which will have two Brazilian tanneries exhibiting to the target audience of buyers from the footwear sector in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Design: Deep Valley

Chinese winners of Real Leather, Stay Different design competition

The winners of the Chinese Real Leather. Stay Different. Student Design Competition were celebrated on July 7 at a glittering awards ceremony in Xinji.

Tough times for Uttar Pradesh tanners

According to local media reports a sombre mood prevails among the tanners of Uttar Pradesh these days. Pollution problems and months of long lockdowns over two consecutive years have adversely affected the leather industry in the state. The tanneries are also reported to be losing business to neighbouring Bangladesh.

Brazilian hide and leather monthly exports continue to rise

Raw hide, semi-processed and finished leather exports from Brazil in June totalled US$119.0 million, up 146.1% compared with the same month in 2020 when US$48.4 million worth was exported. The total is just 0.2% lower than May 2021, when the total was US$119.3 million and similar to June’s figures. China (excluding Hong Kong) remains the main export destination for Brazilian leather.

Credit: Scott Graham

LWG publishes Protocol 7.1 with new updates

The Leather Working Group, Leather Manufacturer Audit Protocol has been updated to Version 7.1 (P7.1) and will come into force in August. 

Credit: Fikri Rasyid

Pandemic e-commerce growth countered by offline retail for footwear

E-commerce in the U.S. grew 30% in 2020, its fastest growth rate since 2002, according to a report from Forrester. Yet, the research firm projects that 72% of all retail will still take place offline in 2024. 

Stahl rewarded with Gold rating from EcoVadis

On July 12, global leather chemical maker Stahl has announced it has achieved an EcoVadis Gold rating, placing it within the top 5% of companies assessed by EcoVadis. The award underlines Stahl’s commitment to ensuring transparency in the value chain and collaborating with partners to improve the sustainability of operations and products. 

Government relaxes wet-blue exports for five producers

The ministry of commerce in Bangladesh has announced that it is relaxing its ban on the export of wet-blue hides and skins from the country as the local sector faces an over-supply of hides and skins and reduced demand for locally made finished leather in the run up to the Eid festivities.

Nigeria’s leather industry capable of generating US$1 billion by 2025

Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo cites a projection that country’s leather industry has the potential to generate over US$1 billion by 2025, which he outlined at the formal inauguration and sensitisation workshop on the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan in Abuja.

Neverfull MM Monogram bag, LV

Luxury handbag retailers hike prices to mitigate pandemic losses

The French luxury fashion houses Chanel and Louis Vuitton have increased prices of some of their most coveted products as they seek to make up for sales lost during weeks of coronavirus lockdowns. Chanel revenue fell 18% during pandemic.

Brazilian tanneries at the forefront of Inspiramais Digital

Inspiramais Digital is an online platform that will soon host several events for the footwear, apparel, accessories, and interior design sectors. Leather has a privileged space at the event, with five tanneries exhibiting their fashion, high-quality, and sustainable developments. Business rounds, lectures, and special exhibitions – such as the Leather Preview – are on the schedule of the event that will take place July 13-16.

Simac 2019

Assomac confirms Simac Tanning Tech physical exhibition

The international exhibition of machines and technologies for footwear, leather goods and the tanning industry has highlighted to international buyers that Italian regulations allow travel to Italy. The European Commission and the Italian Government have prepared specific plans of action to ease business activities.

Federico Caporale appointed President of Associazione Conciatori

Federico Caporale has been appointed as President of Associazione Conciatori (Tanners’ Association of Santa Croce sull’Arno) and was unanimously elected on June 30 by the renewed board. He will serve until 2023.

Credit: Engin Akyurt

Impact felt of pandemic on Italian footwear industry

According to data by Confindustria Moda Research Centre for Assocalzaturifici, the footwear industry in Italy raised exports, in value terms, by 3% in the first quarter of the current year. The Association points out that these remain below pre-Covid levels.

Credit: Suket Dedhia

Indian leather exports decline 27.39%

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics in India released results which showed the Indian leather industry closed the fiscal year with a decline of 27.39% in exports. All segments, with the exception of saddlery and harness, posted two digits drops, losing almost a third of its value.

Hide waste continues due to low cashflow

The rawhide trade for 2021 still looks unfavourable in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, which has been negatively impacted by low cash flow and weakened markets as a result of Covid-19. Consequently, over the past two years, people at grassroots level have either thrown away or buried thousands of hides because they could not get proper prices from seasonal traders.

Kenyan livestock farmers to benefit from local tannery

Livestock farmers in Kericho County have been told  that they will soon benefit from a hide and skin manufacturing plant that is planned to be constructed in Athi-river, Machakos County, to avoid wasting local raw materials after slaughter.

Minister urged to ensure gas supply to Korangi

Pakistan Tanners Association (Southern Zone) Chairman Abdul Salam has urged the Federal Minister for Gas and Petroleum for Helm of SSGC to ensure gas supplies 24/7 to the leather industry cluster located at the Korangi Industrial Area.

Credit: Bridge of Weir

The world’s lowest carbon automotive leather

The Scotland-based tanners, Bridge of Weir, suppliers of automotive leather to luxury car brands internationally, has revealed that it manufactures the lowest carbon intensity leather for the automotive sector, independently verified by a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA).

Rino Mastrotto acquires Carroll Leather

Rino Mastrotto Group, headquartered in Arzignano, Italy is reported to have acquired the U.S. company Carroll Leather which is a division of the Carroll Companies Inc. The interiors and furniture leather supplier are based in Conover, North Carolina. 

Credit: Tanner Yould

Wool experts respond to Higg Materials Sustainability Index

The European Union’s Sustainable Products Initiative is legislation that will establish minimum sustainability and information requirements for products sold in the union, including textiles. Farmers are concerned that wool (and other natural fibres including leather) might fare badly under the new legislation because of the methodology used.

Credit: JBS

Rival meat packers both pledge to reduce carbon footprint

Brazilian meat company JBS SA, the world's second largest food producer, alongside its competitor BRF SA, a Brazilian meat processor, have made pledges regarding their carbon emissions.

ILPA conducts vaccination drive for leather industry workers

The Indian Leather Products Association (ILPA) has started a vaccination camp at the ILPA Leather Goods Park in Zone 9 of the Calcutta Leather Complex, in collaboration with state government’s MSME&T and Health department, according to the ILPA.

Credit: Delvaux

Richemont acquires world’s oldest luxury leather goods Maison

The Swiss luxury group, which owns brands such as Cartier, IWC, Piaget and Jaeger-LeCoultre, has acquired 100% of Belgium headquartered luxury leather goods manufacturer, Delvaux, in a private transaction.

UK to accept EU Health Certificates from U.S. hides

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) based in Maryland which is responsible for protecting animal health, animal welfare and plant health, has announced that although the United Kingdom has left the European Union, it will continue to accept the previous versions of harmonised EU Health Certificates.

Frank Boehly

French leather industry re-elects Frank Boehly as President

Frank Boehly has been re-elected as President of the Conseil National du Cuir (CNC) and SIC S.A. (the commercial branch of the French Leather Industry) on June 24, 2021 during the General Assembly of both bodies.

Bulawayo leather industry to use ZITF as market leverage

Professionals in the leather sector in Bulawayo are planning to use this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) to showcase their products and improve on quality standards while leveraging feedback from the market to enhance exports.

OECD reports US$464 billion in world trade of counterfeits

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, has released “Global Trade in Fakes: A Worrying Trend”, a report which quantifies the magnitude, value, scope and trends of global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, also known as fakes. The report was published June 22 and estimates that the volume of international trade in counterfeit and pirated products amounted to as much as US$464 billion in 2019, or 2.5% of world trade.

Credit: Louis Vuitton

LVMH partners with weturn to further circularity

The French luxury conglomerate has partnered with weturn, a French AGEC law (anti-waste for a circular economy), which will prohibit the destruction of new and unused textile materials by businesses starting on January 1, 2022. As part of its range of creative circularity solutions, LVMH continues its commitment to the circular economy, a major pillar promoted by the Group through its LIFE 360 program (LIFE: LVMH Initiatives For the Environment).

KLDC audit report spotlights irregular procurement and hiring schemes

Claims of irregular procurement and hiring of staff have put the Kenya Leather Development Council (KLDC) from the State Department for Livestock to the State Department for Industrialisation under pressure, attracting a parliamentary probe.  

Tanners given extension on loan repayments

On June 22, Bangladesh Bank issued a notice extending the deadline for tanners to repay default loans by three months under relaxed facilities given the upcoming holiday, Eid-ul-Azha, scheduled to be celebrated July 21. Tanners usually buy rawhides worth Tk 1,500 crore (US$18 million) during the Eid-ul-Azha.

Credit: Ernesto Velazque

Southern Chinese Covid-19 outbreak has ripple effect on footwear supply chain

Reuters has reported that growth in China’s factory output has slowed for a third straight month in May, likely weighed down by disruptions caused by Covid-19 outbreaks in the country’s southern export powerhouse of Guangdong and shipping delays.