Chinese authorities to close dirty tanneries

22 March 2010



The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) has clarified the position of the Chinese government towards the development of the nations tanning industry. There are approximately 700 tanneries operating in the country which are considered to be medium and large sized operations which have adequate pollution control and turn over more than 5 million RMB (US$732,000) a year.


There are also around 1000 small and medium sized businesses whose production capacity is less than 30,000 cattle hides per year. Most of these businesses have little or no pollution control and the government intends to forcibly close down these sites and has already begun the process.

However, if a tannery with a low production capacity (less than 30,000 pieces per annum) but they have acceptable waste treatment controls then they will be able to remain in business.

It the intended aim of the Chinese government to irradiate polluting tanneries and move towards a leather manufacturing sector focussed more on high quality as well as high output production.



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