All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Tool time: Cotance conference in Brussels
In October, EU leather industry body Cotance hosted its final tannery healthy workplaces conference in Brussels. The event served to highlight that, while safety is a key priority for partners across the value chain, levels of understanding around how to implement due diligence are still not where they should be. Ross Davies reports.
Make shoes sustainable
The number of shoes made every year is staggering, so what becomes of the estimated 23 billion used pairs produced annually? Thierry Poncet, head of leather and sustainable development departments, and Régis Léty, sustainable development consultant at CTC, shed light on the issue.
Preferential treatment
Dirick von Behr and Sjoerd van Driesten of Smit & zoon undertake a study to examine the various methods to determine the optimised exhaustion of fatliquors to minimise ETP inflow.
Vision of the future: New York’s TOME
Première Vision New York, one of the highlights of the North American leather industry calendar, takes place on 15–16 January 2019 in Midtown Manhattan, showcasing spring/summer collections for 2020.
Don Ohsman’s view from the US
The price of US hides has sputtered along at relatively close to steady levels since our last report. Benchmark heavy…
Viva España
Andrea Guolo looks into Spain’s position and influence in Europe’s tannery stakes.
Taking the initiative
Tackling pollution in the Ganges and improving work conditions in Ethiopia are just two examples of Stahl’s commitment to advancing causes that will propel the leather industry into a cleaner and more reputable future. Michael Costello, the company’s sustainability director, talks to Leather International.
Eyes on Shanghai: leather exhibition
The All China Leather Exhibition took place in late August, and while a positive spin can always be found, the overall mood in the industry is one of caution, as prices continue to fall across the board for a number of reasons. Andrea Guolo looks at what has taken a hit, what has managed to sustain, and why.
Trade in China: ACLE
Late August saw the 20th anniversary of the All China Leather Exhibition, held in Shanghai. While the trading floor was busy as usual, concerns remain over a slowdown of domestic output and the impact of the ongoing US-China trade war. Ross Davies reports from the event.
Future facing: Lineapelle at Fieramilano
The 95th edition of Lineapelle took place in late September, at Fieramilano, in Milan. The event showcased the winter 2019–20 collections from some of the industry’s biggest names, and provided a platform to discuss innovation and the future of the leather industry.