• The ‘Assomac Around the World’ programme to support Italian companies in the leather, footwear and leather goods sector, also implemented through promotional activities managed in conjunction with the ITA Agency, is back on track. 
  • Through its collaboration with the Agency, Assomac supports companies in the sector, facilitating their participation in the most important international fairs, from the IILF in India to the APLF in Hong Kong and the Mega Leather Show in Pakistan.
  • India emerges as a strategic market, with a 17 billion euros leather sector and Italian machinery exports growing by 42.15%, while in Hong Kong, Italy confirms its leadership in the supply of components for tanning machinery and in Pakistan the Mega Leather Show offers new opportunities in a rapidly evolving $874 million market.

After the first appointment at the India International Leather Fair (IILF) in Chennai, held from 1 to 3 February, the tour continues today in Milan, where Lineapelle, a reference event for the global leather and fashion industry, is being held until 27 February. In March it will then be the turn of the APLF in Hong Kong (12-14 March), followed by the Mega Leather Show in Pakistan (11-13 April).

India: a growing strategic market

The presence in Chennai represented an important opportunity for Italian companies in the sector to present their technological solutions to a rapidly expanding market. India is now one of the main players in the global leather industry, with a GDP expected to increase by 6.5% in 2025.

India’s leather and finished goods sector was worth 17 billion euros in 2024, with forecasts of growth to 45 billion euros by 2030. The country is among the world’s leading producers, with an annual output of around 1 billion square metres of leather, which accounts for 10% of global production. India is also the world’s second largest producer of footwear and leather goods, as well as the fifth largest exporter of leather goods and the third largest exporter of saddle goods.

On the machinery export front, Italy remains a strategic partner for India. In the first ten months of 2024, our country was the second supplier after China of leather processing technology, with an export value of 14.62 million euross and a market share of 20.8% (2023 figure). This figure marks a significant growth of 42.15% over the same period last year, confirming the central role of Italian technology in the modernisation process of Indian industry.

Hong Kong: a strategic business hub for the industry

After Lineapelle, the tour will continue to APLF Hong Kong (12-14 March), one of the most important trade fairs for the footwear and leather goods industry in Asia. Hong Kong, which has always been a crossroads of international trade, represents a privileged gateway to Asian markets, particularly for mainland China and South-East Asia. As the 2024 data show, here Italy confirms its leadership in the sector, supplying alone about 80% of the machinery components (excluding sewing machines) imported for the tanning of leather, hide and fur or for the production and repair of articles in these materials, for a total value of USD 1,828,000.

Italy also dominates in the segment of machinery for the preparation or processing of leather, hide or fur, or for the manufacture or repair of leather goods, with exports on this market rising from 42.19% in 2022 to 77.46% in 2024. Footwear manufacturing or repair machinery also performed well (38.32% market share), although slightly down on the previous year. Italy therefore remains among the main exporters of machinery for the sector, making the participation of Italian companies at APLF Hong Kong a strategic opportunity to consolidate their presence in the Asian market.

Pakistan: a potential yet to be explored

In April, Assomac and the ICE Agency will be present at the Mega Leather Show in Pakistan, a landmark event for the local leather industry, which represents the country’s second largest export sector after textiles, with an annual value of USD 874 million. The sector is mainly divided into four segments: leather clothing, gloves, footwear and leather goods, with exports of leather gloves accounting for a significant share of the total.

The Pakistani leather industry currently has about 800 companies, with 213 tanneries registered with the industry’s umbrella association. The industry contributes around 4% to the national GDP, and is considered a key sector for the country’s economic growth.

Despite Pakistan’s well-established role in the global leather market, the sector still has wide margins for development, especially in terms of technological innovation and sustainability. Currently, Pakistani tanning technology is considered among the most advanced in South-East Asia, with quality standards second only to those in Italy. However, the need to modernise production facilities and improve process efficiency makes the local market particularly interesting for Italian machinery suppliers.

A look into the future: focus on Africa and major international events

Oltre agli appuntamenti fieristici dei primi sei mesi dell’anno, Assomac continua il proprio lavoro a livello istituzionale e internazionale. L’associazione è attivamente coinvolta nel Congresso Internazionale dei Tecnici della Calzatura UITIC, che si terrà a Shanghai dal 31 agosto al 3 settembre, in collaborazione con i colleghi cinesi dell’associazione CLIA. L’evento, dal titolo “Footwear Industry Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, sarà un’occasione di confronto sulle sfide e opportunità del settore nell’era dell’intelligenza artificiale.

In addition to the trade fairs in the first six months of the year, Assomac continues its work on an institutional and international level. The association is actively involved in the UITIC International Congress of Footwear Technicians, which will be held in Shanghai from 31 August to 3 September, in collaboration with its Chinese colleagues from the CLIA association. The event, entitled ‘Footwear Industry Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’, will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the sector in the era of artificial intelligence.

At the same time, Assomac has multiplied its commitment to the African market, a rapidly expanding market which, if harnessed, will soon become strategic for the growth of Italian companies. The aim is to develop new business opportunities, consolidate the presence of Italian technology in North Africa, and contribute to the development of the sector through projects and technological support in the centre and south of the continent.

‘Assomac around the world’ is not only a tool to promote Made in Italy technology, but a digital and trade fair platform to announce at the most important international trade fairs ’Be Smart! From Skills to Factory’, the new edition of Simac Tanning Tech, from 23 to 25 September at Fiera Milano Rho.

Assomac

Assomac is the National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods and Tannery Machinery and Accessories. Founded in 1982, it represents a global reference point for technology applied to these sectors, with over 130 member companies exporting to more than 130 countries. Assomac’s mission is to promote and enhance the technological expertise of its member companies, providing customers worldwide with customised solutions, sustainable technology, allround support, optimal control and management, and continuous innovation. Assomac is a dynamic organisation, which is committed to fostering the growth of its member companies, through the promotion of Made in Italy, the opening to new markets and access to innovative technologies. Moreover, it is active in creating a modern business culture, disseminating knowledge and sectorial skills and activating supply chain synergies, with the aim of becoming an international reference ‘Technological Square’: a meeting and comparison place for all operators in the sector.