Best foot forward - Brazil’s FIMEC

15 March 2017



Brazil’s FIMEC show is a mainstay of the international leather events calendar, routinely generating quantifiable business recognised globally. Leather International looks at how its roster of activities and opportunities this year provides a unique window on the footwear industry in South America.


Billed as the complete event for the footwear chain, Brazil’s International Fair for Leather, Chemical Products, Components, Machines and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries (FIMEC) fills the Fenac pavilions in Novo Hamburgo from 14–16 March 2016.

As well as the product exhibition, many events involving partners and supporters take place over the three days. “We have developed a partnership with sectoral entities that are creating actions to generate more business opportunities for visitors and exhibitioners,” says Fenac CEO Marcio Jung.

“We hope that these actions, as part of our new management, lead to the creation of opportunity and assist in the economic development of the sector and the region.”

One such undertaking, ‘Leather: business and technology’, encompasses a number of events including a visit to the Senai Institute, promoted by the Brazilian Association of the Industries of Machinery and Equipment for the Sectors of Leather, Footwear and Related Goods (Abrameq) in partnership with the Brazilian Tannery Industry Center (CICB).

Another, ‘FF Exchange’, is a round of business networking meetings that brings together buyers and retailers of leather developed by the Brazilian Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados) in partnership with CICB to stimulate conversation and business potential between buyers and suppliers.

The dynamic format of the meetings – which is similar to speed dating – offers a specific period of time for a tannery to make a presentation to a footwear company, thereby expediting the process and making information more objective.

We have developed a partnership with sectoral entities that are creating actions to generate more business opportunities for visitors and exhibitioners.

The meetings continue until each buyer has made contact with every supplier. Participants this year include West Coast/Cravo e Canela, Bibi, Tabita, Dakota and Jorge Bischoff.  The two-part Buyer Project, meanwhile – comprising Brasil Components and Chemicals and the Brazilian Shoes + Leather Machinery project – is designed to attract buyers throughout the three-day event.

To increase participation of qualified visitors, Fenac and other attendees bring chemical technicians from Brazilian hubs and a range of other countries to participate in these activities in order to promote greater interaction between professional bodies and exhibitors.

Getting the big picture

One of FIMEC’S main objectives is to promote the renovation of expertise through the launch of technological innovations. The 2017 programme highlights a visit to the Senai Institute Model Tannery for Leather and Environmental Technology in the nearby municipality of Estância Velha. The purpose of this is to show visitors the most advanced machines and technologies employed in the leather production process.

In 2014, the institute – created by Abrameq, with the support of the Rio Grande do Sul Tanning Industry Association (AICSul), the Brazilian Association of Leather Industry Chemists and Technicians (Assintecal), Abqtic, Fenac, CICB and the Senai Institute of Leather and Environmental Technology—invested R15.0 million (about $4.8 million) in advanced technology for modernising its tanning school, waste-water treatment station and technical laboratories, becoming a national and international benchmark in leather and environmental technology.

A traditional part of FIMEC, the Buyer Project, hosted in partnership with Apex-Brasil, also provides space for international buyers at the Fenac pavilions.

Assintecal hosts ‘By Brasil Components and Chemicals’ as well. At previous editions of the fair, this has led to immediate and long-term business that is worth an estimated $3 million.

Along a similar line, Abrameq –through its project Brazilian Shoes + Leather Machinery – brings buyers from target markets specifically within Latin America. ?

FIMEC visitors get to grips with display items.


Privacy Policy
We have updated our privacy policy. In the latest update it explains what cookies are and how we use them on our site. To learn more about cookies and their benefits, please view our privacy policy. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.