First reported in Leather International last December, page 6, TFL have completed the acquisition of Italian leather finishing chemical makers, Novaria srl.

The company will be incorporated into TFL Italia based in Buscate near Milan. Novaria specialise in cationic leather finishing systems and they also hold substantial market positions in Italy, India, China and Türkiye.

The acquisition is consistent with TFL’s vision and strategy to be the preferred supplier to the leather industry on a global basis, creating value for customers through superior systems and service. With the addition of Novaria’s diversified range of finishing products, TFL are able to enhance their already widely known and appreciated systems and service to tanneries.

‘Novaria’s success builds on its excellent customer service. It therefore fits well into the TFL group’s worldwide activities’, says Dr Christian Csaki, senior vice president, Italy.

TFL invest 4% of sales income in research and development activities. The Novaria name will disappear. However, the product trade names will continue to be used.

TFL have also signed an agreement with the Saba Group in India to represent the company in the southern and eastern regions of the country. ‘Saba Group formerly represented Novaria and since the acquisition by TFL, we renegotiated to represent TFL in southern and eastern India’, says S K Sabapathy, managing partner, Saba Group.

The Saba Group employ 100 people (30 technical) and provide a technical service through five laboratories located in Chennai, Ranipet, Vellore, Vaniyambadi and Kolkata as well as direct leather chemical sales to tanners.