We are pleased to present the fourth edition of our 2023 Sustainability Report, where we reaffirm our commitment to developing new technologies and eco-sustainable projects, and introduce our new solutions.

OMW ® Leather Technology – A new tanning and retanning process that uses vegetable-tanning wastewater as its primary component, which would otherwise need to be sent to the appropriate treatment plant.

Bisphenol-low retanning agents – We have developed a range of highly versatile products applicable to a wide variety of items, ensuring high performance and imparting a wide range of desired properties to the leather.

Bio-Based Products – We have increased the production of bio-based chemicals, using renewable plant sources that guarantee a better CO2 footprint while preserving the performance and quality of the product.

Metal-free leather pigments – These result from extensive research aimed at achieving the highest environmental standards. They were developed by selecting the highest quality raw materials and reducing environmental impact where possible, in compliance with the MRSL v.2.0 guidelines of ZDHC.

Low-solvent products – This is a new line of products developed through the research of sustainable raw materials and additives that can replace or minimize the use of solvents (glycol ethers and aromatic cycles).

T.F.T. Alternative Leather Finishing Process – Designed to replace the traditional Base Coat, this technology uses an ultra-thin finishing layer, either transparent or coloured, applied to a PE substrate and transferred to leather using heat and pressure.

Additionally, GSC Group has a complete range of products registered on the ZDHC Gateway Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals portal, which further meets the requirements of the LWG specification.

In recent years, we have achieved significant certifications. In 2020, GSC Group became the first Italian company in the leather chemicals sector to join the Carbon Footprint Italy programme, dedicated to measuring, communicating, and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This milestone is a testament to our firm commitment to sustainability. GSC Group has always been dedicated to pursuing internationally recognized standards as a benchmark for innovative, sustainable, and cutting-edge products in the industry. Compliance with these standards is ensured by ISO 9001, which GSC Group has held since 2002 and serves as the guiding framework for a process management system focused on quality and continuous product improvement. Our certifications include:

• ISO 9001 Certification
• ISO 14001 Certification
• OHSAS 18001 Certification
• ISO 14064-1 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Certification
• ISO 45001 Certification
• ISO 14067:2018 Certification
• ZDHC Certification, 2022

The foundation of these results is primarily our strong commitment to sustainability, which guides our strategic actions, starting with economic responsibility and extending to our responsibilities towards customers, employees, the environment, and society. Our circular business model is also based on the principle of recovery, a tangible approach that leads to measurable results: for example, 84,000 cubic metres of water were recovered in production. From an energy perspective, our constant investments have led to excellent results in 2023: we were able to produce approximately 15% of our energy through the group’s photovoltaic systems, avoiding the release of 132.5 tonnes of CO2e into the atmosphere.

The company’s Code of Ethics ensures compliance with high standards, with particular attention to environmental responsibility, working conditions, and human rights throughout the entire supply chain. The strong connection with the local area is also demonstrated by the company’s ability to create employment opportunities in surrounding municipalities: approximately 92% of employees come from local communities. The report also highlights our commitment to social responsibility through initiatives promoting diversity, inclusion, and collaborations with universities to foster sustainability education.

In the report, as a confirmation of our ongoing commitment to invest, an ambitious project is outlined: the construction of a new leather application laboratory, set to become one of the largest and most advanced in Europe (approximately 6,500 sqm). This space, expected to be completed by 2025, will not only be a cutting-edge centre for research and innovation in leather applications but also a space designed to foster dialogue, idea-sharing, and employee well-being.

The full report is available here