Newly formed company Wet-Blue International, Argentina, are offering their clients value added procurement of processed and semi-processed leathers from Latin America. Founder Michael Rubinovitz will be using the knowledge and contacts built up over his career in the leather industry, including KT Trading and Sadesa, in this new venture.

Murgon Leather, Queensland, Australia, and a member of the Teys Group, were recently dealt a double blow. The company were forced to impose water restrictions due to the drought and their main supplier of hides closed temporarily due to damage caused by cyclone Larry. The Innisfail Meatworks was due to resume work at the end of April.

Markendale Machinery Ltd have moved to Hindley Business Centre, Office 12, Prospect Mill, Platt Lane, Hindley, Wigan, Lancashire, WN2 3PA. New telephone and fax numbers are tel: +44 1942 526659; fax: +44 1942 526639; email: bob@leathernet.com

A Florida designer is planning a $250,000 Hurricane Katrina relief effort through the sale of special edition handpainted handbags with a New Orleans motif. Only 5,000 will be produced and $50 from the sale of every bag will be donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the Gulf Coast.

D K Leather Corp Bhd's wholly owned subsidiary DK-Schweizer Europe BV plan to acquire a 20% stake in Italian automotive leather upholstery maker Salt SRL from Gavina Francesco for 600,000 euros. D K Leather also plan to take 50% of the equity in a new company called D K-Salt SRL for 250,000 euros. Salt SRL will take the remaining 50% in the company for the same sum.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first four months of this year was 17.1% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Ukraine in the four-month period was 0.4% higher year-on-year.

Spain's National Statistics Institute reports that the production of leather and leather products in Spain in March was 14.9% higher than in the same month last year. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Spain in March was 12.1% higher year-on-year.

The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$27.1 million in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 33.2%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities in January and February were 16.5% higher year-on-year at US$52.7 million.

Russian cattle breeders added additional capacity to accommodate 1,400 cattle in the first quarter of this year, compared with new capacity for 600 cattle in the first quarter in 2005, according to the Interfax news agency.

Corichem srl (Arzignano, Italy) and Syndicate Chemicals (Lahore, Pakistan) have announced that they have signed a deal for sole agentship in Pakistan. Syndicate Chemicals (CEO Ellahi Bakhsh Aziz) will represent Corichem srl for the whole Pakistan as their sole agent for leather chemicals.

The Nastyusha Grain Company have launched construction of a new US$25.9 million livestock breeding complex in Russia's Lipetsk region, according to the Interfax news agency. The complex will have the capacity to accommodate 1,200 cattle. Construction work will be completed in October this year.

Jordan's Department of Statistics reports that Jordan imported leather and leather products worth US$1.31 million in the first two months of this year, compared with US$796,047 in the same period in 2005.

Statistics Iceland reports that Iceland exported 71.7 tonnes of 'tanned or dressed sheepskins' worth US$489,243 in the first quarter of this year, compared with 9.2 tonnes worth US$405,369 in the same period in 2005.

Statistics Norway reports that at the start of this year, a total of 36,400 livestock producers in Norway had applied for production subsidies, 4.5% fewer than at the start of 2005. For cattle and sheep, the decline in the number of holdings was 5%.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that labour productivity in the Croatian leather industry in March was 20.2% higher than in March 2005. In comparison, labour productivity in Croatian industry as a whole in March was 7% higher year-on-year. The number of people employed in the leather industry in March was 0.7% lower than in March last year.

Members of the Cotance Council met in April under the chairmanship of Giuseppe W Peretti (Conceria Cristina) to review the state of trade. They also looked at the progress in the current WTO trade negotiations and the EU proposal for a WTO Agreement to curb down export taxes (on raw materials) which was officially presented that week in Geneva.

Technical superiority, quality and respect for the environment are the successful features which the Italian tanning industry can bank on, according to a Doxa survey commissioned by Unic

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that manufacturers of leather and leather products in Ukraine recorded combined sales worth US$62.4 million in the first quarter of this year.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$127 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 12.3%. Turkey also exported the same types of commodities worth US$22 million in the January to March period, a year-on-year increase of 26.1%.

Stahl has forecast five groups of colours for autumn/winter 2007/2008 which include a wide selection of mute, darker tones contrasting against warm and cool pastels. They provide many opportunities for smart, casual and sporty designs and colours in leather.

The 2006 SLTC Conference will take place on September 23 at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first quarter of this year was 11.3% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Serbia in the January to March period was 5.7% higher year-on-year.

The five Première Vision Pluriel salons, held twice a year at the Parc d'Expositions de Paris Nord Villepinte, will be taking place on the following dates:

Mongolia's National Statistics Office reports that Mongolian exports of hides and skins in the first quarter of this year were US$7 million higher than in the same period in 2005.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first quarter of this year was 11.9% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual fall in industrial output in Macedonia in the January to March period was 0.8%.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel exported leather and leather products worth US$4 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with US$3.8 million in the corresponding period in 2005. Israel imported the same types of commodities worth US$21.5 million in this year's first quarter, as against US$21.8 million in the same period last year.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland in the first quarter of this year was 22.4% higher than in the same period in 2005. A total of 159,200 head of cattle were slaughtered in Ireland in March this year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary imported leather and leather products worth US$42.3 million in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 21.7%. Hungarian exports of the same types of commodities in January and February were 10.7% higher year-on-year at US$23.1 million.

Georgia's Department of Statistics reports that Georgia imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$645,500 in 2005, compared with US$633,000 the previous year. Georgian exports of the same types of commodities last year were worth US$1.5 million, as against US$1.6 million in 2004.

Statistics Estonia reports that the number of livestock farms in Estonia has fallen since 2001, but the size of farms has increased. The report noted that the concentration of livestock production in Estonia has been much more rapid than in the European Union as a whole.

The next edition of Le Cuir A Paris to be held next 19-22 September looks to be very positive. All factors seem to show that the commercial objectives set by the organisers will be achieved - an increase of 8% in comparison with September 2005. To this date, 218 companies from 18 different countries have already registered.

BLC has had a partnership with FYT in Haining for two years now and the routine testing services offered through this partnership has grown steadily. In the past six months they have seen a 50% increase in the volume of the testing within this business.

In the first quarter of 2006, BASF continued their success story with another top performance. 'Our declared goal is to create sustainable value by implementing our strategy', said BASF chairman Dr Jürgen Hambrecht in his presentation of BASF's first-quarter results at the company's 54th Annual Meeting on May 4, 2006.

Albania's National Statistics Institute reports that Albania imported leather and leather products worth US49.67 million in the first two months of this year, compared with US$8.17 million in the same period in 2005. Albanian exports of the same types of commodities in January and February were worth US$2.40 million, as against US$2.14 million in the corresponding period last year.

The LANXESS chemicals group is increasingly backing profitable growth in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. 'This year alone we will start up three new LANXESS production sites in China', said Dr. Axel Heitmann, Chairman of the Management Board of LANXESS AG. 'This will enable us to significantly increase our profitable growth in China', declared Heitmann today at an international press conference at ChinaPlas 2006. ChinaPlas in Shanghai is the biggest plastics trade show in Asia.

From June 20-22, the APCS (Asian Pacific Coatings Show) will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in Malaysia. At Stand 29 the Clariant Divisions Pigments & Additives and Functional Chemicals will showcase innovations for coatings, paints, sealants, construction chemicals, and adhesives.

A new product now available for purchase from ASTM International, ASTM Standards on Occupational Footwear Protection, provides the latest standards for the protective footwear industry. Twelve standards help you comply with mandatory federal regulations on occupational foot protection. Occupational footwear manufacturers, construction and building trade professionals, occupational health and safety specialists, and homeland security personnel will benefit from the work.

In 2001, I had an idea to set up a trade website. The matter was discussed with ITC in Geneva, who liked the idea. Although ITC and myself agreed on the basic contents, we did not agree on the technical form this website should have. It practically came down to the fact that my approach was not using the latest in web publishing techniques, whereas the responsible person at ITC demanded this. As it turns out he was right and the result is a superb website, Leatherline, that allows surfers to access a variety of services.

Russia's State Statistics Committee reports that 61.7% of all leather industry companies in Russia recorded profits last year, according to the Interfax news agency. Loss-making companies accounted for 38.3% of all companies in the industry last year. Russian leather industry companies had working assets totalling US$408 million at the end of 2005.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$34 million in the first quarter of this year, as compared with exports worth US$25.5 million in the same period in 2005.

ITW Industrial Finishing, the Bournemouth based spray equipment manufacturer, have announced their latest sales promotion that will run during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. ITW will include a free full-size leather football with every purchase of ITW Binks or DeVilbiss manual spray guns sold between May 1 and July 31, 2006.

Statistics Estonia reports that the number of cattle on farms in Estonia on March 31 this year was 258,800, as compared with 257,900 on the same date in 2005.

Overseas visitors are said to have crowded the fairground for Chine Shoes and China Shoetec, jointly organized by Messe Dusseldorf China Ltd, Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd, CCPIT-Guangdong Sub-Council and Dongguan Sub-Branch, 2006 Dongguan. China Shoes. China Shoetec, the only Ufi-approved footwear event in Asia, concluded with great success on April 24, 2006, at Dongguan (Guancheng) International Convention and Exhibition Center, Guangdong, PR China.

Belarus' Foreign Minister, Sergei Martynov, has expressed his concern about the big increase in imports of leather footwear into Belarus this year, according to the Belta news agency. Imports of these commodities in the first two months of this year were 60% higher than in the same period last year. The Belarusian government has called on local enterprises to increase their production of goods that are currently imported.

Astley Leathers Ltd have been bought by Lowe Corporation who already own Colyer Watson semi processing and fellmongering activities. They bought the Colyer group from Mair around 6-7 years ago when Mair were divesting their interests and at the same time Astley were bought by managing director Nigel Dobson and his partners.

The authorities at the Dung Quat Economic Zone in central Vietnam are offering numerous incentives to potential investors, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. Le Hue, vice-chairman of the Zone's management authority, told a recent meeting organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam that companies establishing themselves in the Zone would be exempt from paying duties on imports on materials and semi-finished products for five years. In addition, a preferential corporate tax rate of only 10% will be applied during their first 15 years of production operations, with a 50% tax discount on the normal tax rate in the following nine years (years 16-24).

Statistics New Zealand reports that New Zealand exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$261 million in the twelve months to the end of March this year. This figure was 17.6% lower year-on-year.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that Ireland imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth 100,000 euros in January, the same value as in the corresponding month in 2005. Irish exports of the same types of commodities in January were worth 6.8 million euros, as against 4.4 million euros in the same month last year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first two months of this year was 67% higher than in the same period in 2005. Hungarian leather industry companies saw their sales increase by 69.1% year-on-year in January and February, with sales on the domestic market 5.5% higher, and on export markets 93.1% higher, than in the corresponding period last year.

Turkey's State Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Turkey in February was 22% higher than in the same month last year. In comparison, overall manufacturing sector output in Turkey in February was 4.8% higher year-on-year.

According to Cattle Buyers Weekly, Smithfield Foods are undertaking a significant expansion of their Tolleson, Arizizona, beef processing plant. The expansion will increase the plant's kill capacity by 39% from 1,800 to 2,500 head per day.

Russia lifted a ban on cattle imports from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on April 4, according to the Interfax news agency. The ban was imposed on December 13 last year because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Brazil. However, a ban on cattle imports from six other Brazilian states remains in force.

Natuzzi have reported a net loss of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, an improvement from a net loss of $12.1 million in the same quarter a year earlier. This was less than expected due to news that Natuzzi would benefit from a corporate tax reduction in Brazil where they operate a subsidiary, Italsofa Bahia.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in February was 9.7% lower than in the same month in 2005. The combined turnover of leather industry companies in February was 14.7% lower year-on-year.

Trumpler International together with their long-standing agent C H Sam & Co Ltd recently organised a golf tournament in Dongguan, China. The event was held at the beautifully appointed Hill View Golf Club and attracted some 80 participants from Taiwanese tanneries and associated companies based in China.

At the opening ceremony of the Fimec fair secretary of development for Rio Grande do Sul Luis Roberto Ponte complained fiercely about the impact of the weak dollar and high interest rates on the Brazilian leather sector. CICB President Umberto Sachelli added that there is an urgent need for an industrial policy favouring exporting companies. He also underlined the seriousness of the dollar situation.

A joint statement for the elimination of export taxes and export restrictions on raw hides and skins and wet-blue and harmonisation of import duties for leather on a global basis has been issued by Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (Cotance), Leather Industries of America, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America and the American Apparel and Footwear Association:

Slovakia's State Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovakia in the first two months of this year was 0.5% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia in January and February was 6.6% higher year-on-year.

The China Leather Industry Association has reacted to the EU anti-dumping duties of between 4-19.4% on leather shoe exports from China with the following statement:

Spanish tannery Incusa received the technology award at the recent 'Best of APLF' ceremony which was held in Hong Kong alongside the exhibition. The prize winning product is a gilt leather known as 'Mecil' which combines 15th century Moroccan tanning traditions with 21st century Spanish technology.

Shoes & Leather Vietnam 2006 is due to take place at the Ho Chi Minh City International Exhibition & Convention Centre from June 27-29, 2006.

Huntsman Polyurethanes have launched a brand new family of water-blown, high quality polyether systems to help European footwear manufacturers overcome forthcoming product legislation.

Leading edge, UK-based, manufacturer of fabric and colour fastness testing instruments, James H. Heal & Co Ltd in partnership with their Chinese Partner, Introtech Limited, have launched a Demonstration Laboratory in Shanghai.

Home is where the heart is for Leeds businessman, Paul Rylatt, who founded Cleans UK in Leeds after developing his own award-winning leather cleaning product.

Bayer MaterialScience AG is to take part in Simac 2006, which will be held in the Bologna exhibition centre from April 19-22. Hall 35, stand A31-B28, will showcase the group's wide range of polyurethane raw materials and services for the shoe industry. Centre stage will be taken by new classes of materials and innovative technologies from the performance-proven Bayflex Footwear brand, which brings together the company's diverse range of raw materials for polyurethane shoe soles. This broad range of systems comprises Bayflex Safety for safety shoes, Bayflex Active for sports and leisure shoes, Bayflex Fashion for fashion shoes, and Bayflex Basics for basic raw materials. 'These systems enable foamed shoe soles to be made with densities of between 200 and 1,200kg/m3', says Dr Eva Emmrich, shoe technology expert at Bayer MaterialScience.

The 22nd rendition of the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF), held from March 28-31, 2006, demonstrated, once again, that Hong Kong remains the preferred choice for many companies in the industry: especially those operating in the global marketplace.

Adidas-Salomon AG, the world's second-largest sports goods manufacturers, reported a fourth-quarter loss. This was attributed to the cost of integrating Reebok and also for the costs associated with marketing the World Cup soccer tournament. The net loss was $4.8 million. However, sales rose 27% to e1.52 billion. Adidas, whose $3.8 billion acquisition of Reebok in January doubled their share of the US market and narrowed the gap with larger rival Nike, raised sales with orders tied to the World Cup and demand for products such as the Superstar 35 sneaker in the US.

Percolation trials have also been carried out to assess the level of chrome separation from the shavings. The results from the lixiviation trials were satisfactory with a reduction of chrome leaching that can exceed 99.9%. These trials were carried out at the CTC laboratories, Lyon, France.

After slaughter, the hides are de-haired, followed by a chemical or vegetable treatment aimed at preventing decomposition. These are standard processes, carried out regardless of the distinct characteristics of each animal. This is also the phase of the tanning process in which the hides and skins are split, separating the valued external section from the fleshy interior part, using a press to eliminate any residual liquids still present.

Dani told Leather International that the company had evolved slowly and steadily year by year developing along the way a specialist knowledge of a wide range of items. This has been achieved through the acquisition of companies such as Conceria di Verolanuova, a tannery from Crocetta del Montello and Pell-Mec from Chiampo.

Some businessmen have adapted to the new circumstances by opening 'virtual tanneries.' This means that they do not have their own tannery, merely a commercial office. The virtual tanner buys raw materials and sends them to a contract tannery to be processed. This gives the virtual tanner greater flexibility and security in a difficult market as there are no fixed costs involved.

Conceria Anzolin is one example of a tannery that is proactively targeting the Asian market. Their speciality is footwear leather and as many of the major brands relocated to China and India, it made sense for the company to establish a warehouse and sales office in Hong Kong three years ago in order to be closer to the market. However, this does not change the company's commitment to and pride in the area. Anzolin told Leather International: '100% of our production is carried out here in Arzignano.'

The USDA have published statistics showing that in 2005 federally inspected cattle slaughter totalled 31,823,877 head. This compares with 31,997,844 in 2004.

February and march saw a significant increase in the hide market in Ireland and the UK. There was strong demand for all weights of hides from Italian tanners who were believed to have written good business and found themselves short of hides.

Federally inspected slaughter figures for the four-week period ended March 11, showed an average weekly kill of 582,000 head, against 581,750 a year earlier.

The global trade can best be called steady with few changes or surprises. The limited volume of raw material (it would be an exaggeration to speak about a shortage) in the hands of both slaughterhouses and tanners is what keeps the trade going and prices stable.

The market disappointed attempts by both buyers and sellers to move the market in either direction. So far in March prices had been essentially steady since the upward blip in late February. This was regardless of very large export sales and reduced slaughter several weeks ago that has now combined back to normal levels.

The major chemical companies are vying for a place in the lucrative Chinese marketplace and Cognis are no exception. With this objective in mind, they have significantly stepped up operations in China in recent years.

Tony Walsh has been appointed managing director of Feltex Automotive Leathers, Ladysmith, South Africa. He succeeds Braam Keyser who died last year. Walsh was formerly production director.

Ilona Coremans and Wolfgang Schmälzle from Stahl Europe have recently run two separate intensive, hands-on, two-week courses for Leather Finishing and Wet-End Processing at the Lederinstitut Geberschule Reutlingen (Leather Institute - German Tanners' School Reutlingen). Attended by 32 students from the Institute, the courses were designed to impart as much product, process knowledge and application experience as was possible in the limited time available. In support of the practical work, each student was provided with technical data sheets explaining the product descriptions, specifications and application methods for the range of products being used on the courses. They were also provided with leather samples specific to their individual projects and a leather pattern to which they were expected to match, prepare and apply their own combination of products in making up a suitable wet-end or leather finish formula and process.

Nigel Dunning, formerly technical manager of Mimosa Central Co-operative, has been appointed business manager for mimosa tanning products following the early retirement of Richard Sharp, commercial manager for all mimosa products.

Massimo Donda, President of Federcalzature, has been elected member of the Italian trade confederation national council for a third consecutive term.

Jacqueline Glasspool is to manage Satra's new chemical and analytical technologies business area. She joined the technology centre in 1999 as a technologist examining personal protective equipment, having previously worked as an analytical chemist.

Craig Boyd resigned as president of SLTC SA at the end of January due to increased global responsibilities with Simitri Specialty Chemicals. Nigel Dunning has been appointed acting president until such time as an agm can be held and new office bearers elected. As a result, there will not be a Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists Convention in South Africa in 2006.

April 1 was the 185th anniversary of the founding of Smit & Zoon by Albert Smit. Since that time, the Dutch family business has expanded and, currently, the 7th generation (Marc Smit and Mrs Valerie Smit) is managing the company.

US beef is due to go back on sale in South Korea in early April, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Officials in Seoul had originally said that sales would be likely to resume some time this month. Korean inspectors are due to visit the United States to check slaughterhouses and processors that are allowed to export beef, said Lee Yang-ho, an agency spokesman.

The XXIX congress of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies will be held jointly with the 103rd annual meeting of ALCA. The events will take place in Washington DC, from June 20-24, 2007. The deadline for submission of abstracts for lectures or posters for the combined Congress and Annual Meeting is October 1, 2006.

Irving Tanning Co have joined Sensible Solutions Inc, Oklahoma, to create a new product that binds leather scraps into a useable leather 'fabric'. Hundreds of tons of scraps trimmed from the edges of tanned hides were previously destined for landfill. According to CEO Dick Larochelle, the new technology has taken more than a year to develop. 'This product will change the face of this company drastically', Larochelle told Governor John Baldacci during a recent tour of the facility. 'Our problem now will be managing the growth.'

Eagle Ottawa have built new world headquarters that are about 4 miles north from their current Rochester Hills location. It will house about 90% of their corporate personnel.

The January Limeblast about Rwanda seems to have ruffled some feathers. That's great! That's why Limeblast exists and that's why Limeblast is read. There have been some reactions which have reached me directly while others have been indirect. None of the reactions objected that what I had described as the situation on the ground.

Drink Fiorentino, Inside Suggestions, City Skipper, www.r&d and Nomad Escape are the five major fashion routes to follow for spring/summer 2007. With their directional seasonal statement, Clariant's Leather Business will allow tanners to be one step ahead. Their stylish promotional kit is equipped with a multi-sensory CD-show, leather samples, pictures, trend and article descriptions with corresponding wet-end and finishing recipes. The package includes an eye-catching fashion poster as an extra bonus. All prototype articles are made exclusively by Italian stylists and will be presented during Clariant's fashion shows and fairs around the world.

German chemicals company BASF posted the best results in their history in 2005. The company again grew profitably and faster than the market in 2005 on the basis of their own efforts and astute acquisitions. At their annual press conference on February 22, 2006, in Ludwigshafen, BASF reported sales of €42.7 billion (up 14%) and income from operations (EBIT) before special items of more than €6.1 billion (up 17%).

Exhibitors at the 10th edition of Le Cuir A Paris in late February were up by 24% at 162, all top of the range specialists in leather and fur. They presented finished leathers (65%), textiles/synthetics for accessories (14%), components and chemical products (8%), fur (4%) and services (10%).

Arrangements are currently underway for the next IULTCS Euro Congress which is scheduled for May 24-27 in Istanbul, Türkiye. There will be a comprehensive programme of visual and spoken presentations plus a round table discussion about the role of Europe in predicting the future of the global leather industry.

The Brussels plan to impose anti-dumping duties on shoes imported into the EU from China and Vietnam has sharply divided EU governments with as many as ten of the 25 member states voting against it in the EU's anti-dumping committee this week. Only three countries were reported to have supported the plan proposed by Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, with 11 abstaining. The vote was only a 'consultative' one and the plan will go ahead, though the Commission hopes to find a consensus. Shoe manufacturing countries such as Italy, Spain and Portugal have argued for higher duties than those proposed by Brussels while others want no action taken at all because of the effect on prices.

Responding to news that the ten-year worldwide ban on British beef exports has been lifted by the EU, Shadow Agriculture Minister Jim Paice said: 'Thank goodness that this black period for our beef industry is over. British beef is amongst the best and safest in the world. Now it is essential that the government does all it can to facilitate beef and livestock exports. Whilst we would prefer all animals to be reared and killed with the minimum travel, hundreds of thousands of calves have been shot at birth because there is no market for them in Britain. Now that transport rules have improved and veal crates are about to be banned, calf exports should resume under strict enforcement of the new rules. For dairy farmers the extra income is essential when milk prices are so low.'

BLC are investing in people and equipment to meet the increasing problem solving needs of the leather supply chain. Gert Kruger is their new diagnostic services manager and will be responsible for problem solving including both technical issues on leather within the production environment and finished products.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) reports that the United States exported hides and skins worth US$416,000 to Croatia in 2005. There were no American hides and skins exports to Croatia in 2004.

Kastro Derecilik Limited Sirketi, based in Izmir's Menemen district, announced that they are the exclusive Turkish agency for the Wallace Tannery of New Zealand and for PPCS, New Zealand's largest meat marketing company, who also have a tannery division. Kastro will additionally represent Emag, a Swiss trader of hides and skins, in Türkiye.

The onward march of the Chinese economy and its cheap labour appears to be on the verge of claiming another high profile casualty: the Czech leather shoe manufacturing industry. The country that gave the world Bata shoes, and which in the inter-war years carved itself a proud niche as a highly respected manufacturer of shoes, has been overwhelmed by Asian shoe imports sold at prices with which venerable companies are unable to compete.

After playing a waiting game, the year is now getting underway with major trips to India, Mexico, Italy, Hong Kong and Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, occupying time and resources. There has also been plenty to discuss and much conjecture about the European decision to levy anti-dumping duties against leather shoes from China and Vietnam.

Clariant's Leather Business have launched a new retanning agent for producing innovative automotive leathers with excellent tanning properties. Leather automotive interiors have become a worldwide trend, thus creating increasing demands and new challenges for the retanning of chrome-free leathers, in order to meet the required high standards in terms of physical and chemical properties.

Coripur AG20 is a polyurethane dispersion which provides a film with high softness, tenacity and good stickiness. Thanks to its features, Coripur AG20 is a very good adhesion promoter and a polishable binder in base coats and sealing coats for upholstery and shoe upper. It is non-ionic, so can be used both in anionic and cationic systems.

New supersoft, dull, aqueous compacted topcoats for furniture

The conservation of leather, skin and related materials is an area that, until now, has had little representation in book form. Marion Kite, senior conservator at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK, and Roy Thomson, recently retired chief executive of the Leather Conservation Centre, Northampton, UK, have prepared the first text of its kind. It is both authoritative and comprehensive.

The UK leather industry showed under the banner of the newly formed UKLF at the recent Asia Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong. This was the first official event featuring the UK Leather Federation and the UK leather brand was clearly in evidence at the UK Leather Pavilion.

The 2006 Dongguan . China Shoes . China Shoetec international footwear exhibition is being held from April 21 to 24. The organizers, Adsale, say there will be concurrent seminars on hot topics of the shoe industry in China; display zones of 'Winning items of the 2005 Hong Kong Footwear Competition' and latest 2006 fall & winter collections by major exhibitors; and a fashion show with brands highlights.

People are the biggest asset to any business and staff development can reap long term rewards. BLC's training courses, tried and tested over many years, are geared to all levels in organisations across the leather supply chain.

The inaugural edition of Prime Source took place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28-29 March 2006, comprising a trade show and the International Apparel Forum. The Forum featured 26 distinguished speakers, collectively representing a cross section of the industry and each an expert in his/her respective expertise, who addressed an audience of over 200 participants from 20 nations, senior executives from leading apparel manufacturers, buying offices/agents, retailers and related service providers.

Clariant say they offer best performance from wet-end to finishing with an innovative retanning system for full and soft chrome-free leathers; fashionable spring summer leather trends; special wet-end chemicals for supersoft leathers; profitable upgrading techniques for higher cutting yields; and superior dyes.

TFL are focused on research, presenting solutions and innovative methods for the treatment of skins and leather. The company are involved in all stages of the leather making process from beamhouse to finishing and their team of technicians supply clients with personalised service and systems.

Tanners in South America have always recognised the importance of FIMEC as a fashion show helping them to preview fashions for the coming seasons. This year, Stahl Brasil have gone a step further by taking much of their display to customers in Argentina and Brazil, including those areas which are distant from Fimec. The location of most of these areas is such that it is difficult for customers to travel to Novo Hamburgo to see the show itself, and this preview of Stahl's display will be a great benefit to them.

Schill + Seilacher AG, Boeblingen, Germany, have 130 years of history in making leather processing chemicals. At Fimec 2006 in Novo Hamburgo, they will be showing new advances in wet-end technology for automotive, chrome-free and waterproof leather.

At their stand, Münzing Chemie will be using the Fimec show case to introduce their latest chemical novelties for wet-end production of leather in tanneries.

Leather international will be present at Fimec in Novo Hamburgo, Brazil, with the latest issue of Leather International magazine (April) and the second edition of Leather Brazil.

At the FIMEC international leather fair in Brazil, LANXESS will be exhibiting a comprehensive range of products for leather production. The focus will be on new developments in the X-Grade and X-Tra finishing systems, on fatliquoring agents and on the company's tried and tested dyestuffs. 'As a modern company, we set benchmarks in the leather industry with our products and technologies', says Tomas Vallendor, marketing manager for leather at LANXESS Industria de Produtos Quimicos e Plasticos Ltda, Brazil.

Hüni will be at Fimec to present their product range which consists of the following:

Specialised in the tanning sector since 1953, Fratelli Carlessi manufacture leather drying and finishing plants which are exported to 90 countries all over the world. They have been present in Brazil, where they have supplied more than 50 plants, since the early seventies. They are represented by their agent Tecnotan Comercio e Rapresentaçao Ltda, Eugenio Campassi.

At the FIMEC international leather fair