Dutch producers of fatliquors and syntans, Smit & Zoon are launching their new advertising campaign 'Share our passion'.

The board of Scottish Tanning Industries Ltd have announced the following subsidiary company board appointments: John McMorris as director of Andrew Muirhead and Son Ltd; Jamie Davidson as sales director of Bridge of Weir Leather Co Ltd; and Hugh Gilmour becomes managing director of Garston Leather Ltd in addition to his recent appointment as managing director of W J and W Lang Ltd.

SATRA unveiled their latest production-efficiency software at the China Shoes/China Shoetec exhibition held in Dongguan City. It was the first time the technology centre had exhibited at this mainland Chinese trade fair and put on show SATRASumm 6, the latest version of its system for managing leather during the cutting process. This version incorporates updated database technology to improve system reliability. It can operate at high speeds over computer networks hundreds of miles apart (wide area networks).

SATRA is planning to hold its first 'safety footwear clinics' in China later this month. Peter Doughty, SATRA's specialist in safety footwear testing and certification, is set to meet Fast Eastern manufacturers seeking more information on the latest European Union safety footwear standards. He is holding sessions at the SATRA representative office in Dongguan City from June 20-23 and at the Holiday Inn in Zhuhai from June 24-25.

An attempt to rescue Irving Tanning Co now hangs in the balance with the appearance of a competing offer to close down and sell off the troubled Hartland tannery emerged recently. Irving have until the end of the week to continue operations as negotiations continue with the company's mortgagee and creditors, the tannery's legal counsel Michael A Fagone said on Friday June 10. 'The situation is very fluid', according to Fagone. 'We're continuing to negotiate with a company that would like to acquire the assets and run the business. We've also received an offer from a liquidation company that would sell the assets piecemeal.'

Organisers of Footwear UK say they have had the strongest ever re-booking of stands for the forthcoming August show. Show Director David Wilkins said: 'participation in Footwear UK is part of many brands established marketing programme, they know we have the buyer support. We deliver a strong attendance and visitors remain committed to coming because they know they will get a complete overview of the new season at one hit.'

Foothills Leather are moving to larger quarters: Foothills Leather Co Inc, 104 Van Road, PO Box 7, Gloversville, NY 12078. The telephone: +1 518 773-2500 and fax: +1 518 725-5838 remain the same. Email: deerskin@frontiernet.net and website: [http://www.foothillsleather.com] will also be unchanged.

The World Ostrich Congress XII takes place in Madrid from October 14-16, 2005, in Madrid Spain. There are one and a half more days left to obtain maximum savings on registration fees. If you book before June 15, 2005, the registration fee is 225 euros + 16% VAT = 261 euros.

Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) - Materials, Manufacturing and Technology, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 6-9, have released their post show results. Exhibitors were said to be impressed with the business results and agreed that the fair again created a good platform in bringing suppliers and buyers from both East and West.

From September 20-23, 2005, LE CUIR A PARIS exhibition will be held at Paris Nord Villepinte as part of Premier Vision Pluriel, a new label, launched on May 18, combining the following exhibitions: Premier Vision, Expofil, Indigo, Mod'Amont and Le Cuir A Paris (www.premierevision-pluriel.com).

More than half of all leather and footwear companies in Ho Chi Minh City had no current orders in late May and some of them had to suspend production, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso) said that most of these enterprises were producers of low-priced footwear. Local analysts said that many orders for low-priced footwear from European Union countries are now being placed with Chinese manufacturers

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$24.3 million in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year fall of 19.5%. Exports of leather products were 6.3% higher year-on-year at US$89.7 million. Turkey imported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$153 million in the January to April period, a year-on-year fall of 24.4%.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first four months of this year was 6.9% lower than in the same period in last year. In comparison, industrial output in Serbia in the January to April period was 2.2% lower year-on-year.

Serbian government sources say that recent changes to Serbia's law on VAT mean that the VAT rate on live cattle has been reduced from 18% to 8%, according to the Serbian government's website.

Sam Setter, regular contributor of the Limeblast page, has changed his email address to samsetter@limeblast.org

On his return flight on June 5 from Guandong, China, to Italy via Paris, Enrico Carrai suffered a massive heart attack and died in flight two hours after take off. In spite of the efforts of the crew to revive him, he could not be saved. He was a well known hides and skin agent operating in the area of Santa Croce where amongst others he represented the Mexican Wyny SA group. Enrico Carrai was a very capable, pleasant and exuberant person and was only 44 years' old. He will be missed by many.

Nearly 400 head of livestock, most of them cows, were killed by huge swarms of mosquitoes and flies in the Kraslava, Madona, Jekabpils and Daugavpils districts in Latvia in late May, according to Baltic Business News. The value of losses is put at tens of thousands of lats (US$1 = LVL0.57).

Two directors and one official of the MIMA Group were robbed of their briefcases and a laptop computer during the Canton Leather Fair recently. They were Danish Nasim, director of MIMA, Raihan Shahid, director of Universal Leather, and Manzoor Modak, sales manager of MIMA. They had stored their baggage in the storeroom of the Pakistani stand. The thieves cut down the wooden walls of the storeroom of the Pakistan Pavilion and stole all the items.

LANXESS are realigning their styrenic resins operations in Dormagen and Tarragona under a plant consolidation programme in Fine Chemicals. They have also announced a solidarity package for LANXESS' German employees: 35-hour week from July 1, 2005 with corresponding pay reduction and a socially responsible elimination of 960 jobs by the end of 2007.

Israel's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Israel exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$5.1 million in the first four months of this year, as compared with US$3.9 million in the same period last year. Israeli imports of the same types of commodities in the January to April period were worth US$28.2 million, as against US$22.6 million in the same period in 2004.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary exported leather and leather products worth US$32.1 million in the first quarter of this year, a rise of 11.4% year-on-year. Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities were 12.8% lower year-on-year in the January to March period at US$80.1 million.

Serbia's Deputy Finance Minister, Goran Andjelic, says that a new customs tariff bill submitted by the government to parliament for debate envisages higher import duties on leathergoods, according to the Serbian government's website. The aim of the higher duty will be to protect domestic manufacturers.

The organisers of Prime Source, the networking event for the international apparel industry to be held in Hong Kong in March 2006, has announced the endorsement of the event by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA). The FTA is the only European trade association that represents the foreign trade interests of European commerce. It advocates free world trade and the liberal development and strengthening of the multilateral trading system within the framework of the World Trade Organisation. Headquartered in Brussels, its members are national retail trade associations and individual firms from nearly all European countries.

Genoservis Olomouc, a company engaged in the selective breeding of livestock in the Czech Republic, recorded a net profit worth US$766,629 in 2004, according to the CTK news agency's Business News. The company recorded a net profit worth US$353,256 in 2003.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$88.6 million in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 15.7%. Croatian imports of the same types of the commodities were 16.3% higher at US$126 million.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$47 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 2.2%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities were 35% higher year-on-year at US$25 million.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that Ireland imported raw hides and skins worth 200,000 euros in the first two months of this year, the same figure as in the corresponding period in 2004. Irish exports of the same types of commodities in January and February were worth 9.3 million euros, as against 13.3 million euros in the same period last year.

During the past 15-20 years, the industry has witnessed significant changes in hide quality, preservation and customer demands. Cattle are being raised faster and the animals reach maturity at an earlier age, which leaves the collagen structure with less crosslinks making it more sensitive. The tanner is facing problems with looser grain and emptier flanks. However, today tanneries are under big cost pressure and, therefore, have to expand the usable area of the hide.

The demand for hydrophobic leathers has substantially risen in the last few years, since the chemical industry manufactures products that despite simple application lead to the desired results.

Natuzzi expect sales of Natuzzi branded upholstered furniture to decrease by 18.4% and sales of Italsofa, their promotional brand, to remain flat. In terms of seats sold, Natuzzi are anticipating a 13.1% decrease, with the Natuzzi brand selling 21% less units than the first quarter of 2004, with sales of Italsofa units increasing by 1.8%. The board have approved a new restructuring plan focusing on reducing manufacturing costs in Italy. This includes a temporary work force reduction of 1,320 workers by the end of 2005. Natuzzi are due to release their first quarter results today. Pasquale Natuzzi, CEO and chairman, said: 'After having carefully analysed the current situation and the unstable market outlook, we have decided to take further initiatives to control costs. Natuzzi is a solid company, but we have to act rapidly in order to be more competitive, recover profitability and regain market share especially in the medium-high end of the market where we are investing in the Natuzzi brand.'

The restructuring under way at chemical company LANXESS AG showed initial success in the first quarter of 2005. Further earnings growth was attained in the traditionally strong January-March period by containing costs, raising selling prices and in some cases foregoing unprofitable business. 'We have had a satisfactory start to 2005', commented LANXESS CEO Axel Heitmann, 'but as the year progresses we need to achieve further substantial improvements in earnings, and above all intensify our restructuring, to make LANXESS globally competitive for the long term.' On the status of the negotiations with the employee representatives concerning the restructuring of the loss-making styrenic resins and fine chemicals units and the possible elimination of up to 1,200 jobs, Heitmann said: 'Intensive discussions are currently ongoing. I still anticipate that we can bring them to a conclusion this quarter.'

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the number of cattle on farms in Hungary on April 1 this year was 721,000, compared with 742,000 on the same date in 2004.

Estonia's Statistical Office reports that Estonia exported raw hides and skins, leather and leather products, worth US$5.24 million in March. Estonian imports of the same types of commodities in March were worth US$5.66 million.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in April was 4.3% higher than in the same month last year. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in April was 6.3% higher year-on-year.

Brazil's National Statistics Institute reports that the production of footwear and leather products in Brazil in the first quarter of this year was 2.3% higher than in the same period last year. In comparison, industrial output in Brazil was 3.9% higher year-on-year.

The 3rd Upholstery Leather Conference concluded successfully on April 5 with participants from major tanneries and top manufacturers taking part. The conference was timed to precede the APLF fair in Hong Kong to take advantage of visitors to the region and they were able to hear the views of leather business realities in China and the Asia Pacific region from figures such as Dennis Thams, ceo Shanghai Richina, and Jay Shane, president Cosie Leather Products. Delegates also had the benefit of cocktails, lunch and a gala dinner by courtesy of BASF and Fenice, who were sponsors of the conference along with APLF Ltd.

Following the recent formation of Stahl Coatings and Fine Chemicals (Suzhou) Co Ltd, Stahl have commenced construction work on their Chinese manufacturing facility in Suzhou, a 2,500 year old city in the southern part of the Jiangsu province, located between Nanjing and Shanghai.

Fifty years ago, on April 18, 1955, Wil Levenbach and Frans Bernards announced the formation of Stahl Chemische Industrieën nv in Waalwijk, Holland. This was the firm that was eventually to grow into Stahl Europe bv, an important part of the Stahl Group.

South Africa has agreed to help develop coal mines in Niger to provide cheap cooking fuel for local people and to promote exports of beef and cattle hides. It has also agreed to study the possibility of establishing a new air link between Niamey and Europe to improve transport links between this remote landlocked country and the outside world.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido), in co-operation with the Italian government, have agreed a two phase project to rejuvenate the local leather industry at a cost of $700,000 (KSh55 million). The first phase of the project was concerned with identifying bottlenecks in the industry and their possible solution and was completed between June and December 2004.

Pittards are forming a joint venture partnership with their suppliers in Ethiopia. They have worked for many years in close co-operation with suppliers of raw material throughout the African continent, most significantly in Ethiopia. As a result of discussions with key suppliers, the company have this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ethiopia Tannery Share Company with a view to forming a joint venture operation with a significant share holding in Ethiopia.

The Hau Duong Leather Tanning Factory was put into operation in the Hiep Phuoc Industrial Zone in Ho Chi Minh City's Nha Be District in mid-March, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. The 5,200 sq m facility will produce 40 tonnes of tanned leather each day for export to Taiwan.

The LANXESS Group Leather Business Unit have expanded their applications development department in São Leopoldo, near Porto Alegre, Brazil, with a view to being able to offer better support and a wider range of services to their customers in the important and rapidly growing South American market.

Officials in the Serbian province of Vojvodina say that a total of nine former state-owned leather processing enterprises have so far been privatised in Vojvodina, according to the Tanjug news agency.

Irving Tanning Co recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again.

Uganda currently produces 1.1 million bovine hides and skins annually and more than 95% is exported raw, earning a meagre $11 million against an extra $139 million if the hides were processed.

European Union ministers have been asked by the European Commission to approve a wide-ranging trade deal with Syria, removing mutual duties on many leather lines and related products. Tariffs on Syrian exports to the EU would be scrapped once this EU-Syria Association Agreement came into force, with some Syrian import duties being removed more gradually.

UK footwear manufacturers, Clarks International have revised their strategy by setting up their own operations across the Asia Pacific region, as part of their plan to become the market leader in premium leather footwear. This news comes hard on the heels of the closure of Clarks last remaining UK factory.

Due to the boom in the construction industry in China, the Chinese are buying large volumes of steel in which chromite is a key component. Chromite is the chromium ore that is mined in many areas across the world and in particular South Africa.

The BLC advise that changes are being made to the way in which leathers are tested for hexavalent chrome. There are currently two test methods for chromium VI used within the leather industry: DIN 53314 (technically the same as IUC 18: 1997) and EN TS 14495:2003 (technically the same as IUC 18: 2003).

When business is bad the trade generally approaches exhibitions with great pessimism and this latest event of the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF) was no exception. However, APLF still managed to put on a good show despite predictions of gloom and doom. There may have been fewer exhibitors and visitors but there were still more than enough to make this an important show, the aisles were busy and many stands could be seen taking business.

The abstracts of the following papers on chrome and its alternatives are listed in the same running order as the IULTCS congress programme:

The title of this survey could be used for almost anywhere in the world these days. The tanneries in the western world have been hard hit by long term recessions in the major consumer markets of the USA, Japan and Europe and to add to this have seen their production move eastwards, particularly to China. Ironically, even Chinese tanners are reported as experiencing difficulties.

US hide suppliers who may have hoped that APLF in Hong Kong would generate better business returned home sadder and wiser. Buyers seemed to be waiting for lower prices and meat packers turned away bids that did not come up to scratch.

In April, kills in Ireland dropped below 25,000 head of cattle per week and the low kill is expected to continue until at least the end of May. Despite the reduced availability of hides, the hide market continued to fall against expectations and there was great uncertainty as to what would happen in May.

There have been not so subtle changes in the tone of the American hide market since our last issue. Prices on a number of selections have gradually declined regardless of kills that have been running even below the reduced levels of 2004.

Dolmen have three production lines: reptile, calf and horse (actually hair-on calf) and each line has its own identity and brand name. One of the four owners, Pietro Giananti was smiling when he told Leather International about their 'hobby', an amazing range of chairs, sofas and other items which are covered in exotic leathers and 'ponyskin'.

Carmine Antonio Intiso offers a global consulting service as well as testing and trading in leather chemicals. He believes that there is a lot of waste in the industry and that a number of unscrupulous people actually profit by promoting such waste.

Conceria Incas started out in Santa Croce but moved to Castelfranco di Sotto in 1983. Their impressive tannery has its own effluent treatment plant and they have doubled in size since the move to Castelfranco. They are one of the few to feature their own effluent treatment.

Managing director Vasco Caciagli says the important thing is to believe in what you are doing and concentrate on the production of the machinery and not on staffing offices. They specialise in fleshing, sammying and setting out, both as traditional machines and as through feed units and are continually improving their technology.

Earlier this year a reader brought the following story to my attention. I'll tell this story which is a lighter Limeblast, after several heavy weight Limeblasts, so my readers will be fresh and ready for some heavier stuff in June, July and August.

At the 3rd Upholstery Leather Conference in Hong Kong delegates learned that China had become a victim of its own success. Not only is there a sizeable over-capacity in the tanning industry but a very contentious issue is the shortage of labour in the built-up areas. In the past when labour was in short supply in industrial areas it was possible to import labour from other provinces. Now industry is becoming more widely developed across the country and tanners and footwear manufacturers have to compete with other industries offering better paid and more attractive jobs.

Carmine Antonio Intiso offers a global consulting service as well as testing and trading in leather chemicals. He believes that there is a lot of waste in the industry and that a number of unscrupulous people actually profit by promoting such waste.