Conference La Chimica e la Pelle – Dialogo nella Filiera (Chemistry and Leather – Dialogue in the Supply Chain) was held on July 15 at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Theater. The event was promoted by ICEC, UNIC – Italian Tanneries and UNPAC sponsored by the UNI standardization body and with Lineapelle as the main sponsor. The objective? To strengthen the comparison between all players in the leather sector, from chemical companies to international brands. The event was attended by more than 20 key stakeholders, including experts, certification bodies and representatives of major brands such as LVMH, Kering, Burberry, Hugo Boss and Automobili Lamborghini. Sustainability, regulations and shared analytical methods were the focus of the proceedings.
Chemistry and Leather
In a constantly changing regulatory environment, brands and suppliers face increasingly complex challenges, from compliance with European and international regulations to chemical management, to analytical methods, certifications and environmental protocols. The event highlighted how crucial a technical and direct dialogue between those who produce, those who control and those who buy is.
ICEC emphasized the need to set up a restricted technical table among experts that can simplify controls where there are third-party certifications and products that have already been tested. “The meeting, which followed four technical roadshows in Italian tanning districts”, say the leather area’s reference certification institute, “gathered more than 170 questions from the audience, a sign of strong interest and a concrete desire for cooperation.
A cross-cutting dialogue
The heart of the conference was the cross-cutting dialogue between chemistry, tannery, manufacturing, laboratories, standards bodies and environmental management. UNIC remarked on the increasing complexity of specifications and the need for clear and scientifically sound test methods. “Critical issues related to chemicals management, international regulations and analytical methods remain at the heart of our efforts”, they explained, “.
This is why it remains essential to continue to provide space for technical, open, constructive and more direct discussion between brands and associations”. UNPAC, on the other hand, reiterated the importance of a shared approach among all players in the supply chain to turn critical issues into levers for growth. The common goal is to anticipate the challenges, building a structured path toward a real sustainable transition, capable of guaranteeing quality, transparency and competitiveness to the Italian leather sector.
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