COTANCE News 5/2024 – May

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Towards Zero Adverse Impact of the European Leather Industry:

Final Conference

On May 16, in Brussels, the European Tanning and Leather social partners, COTANCE and industriAll Europe held the Green Deal Leather Final Conference, concluding a two-year, EU-funded Social Dialogue project ‘Towards Zero Adverse Impact of the European Leather Industry – GREEN DEAL LEATHER’.

The event attracted around 100 on-site attendees and marked the end of a successful, EU-funded social dialogue project between the European social partners as well as national representatives from Spain (ACEXPIEL), Portugal (APIC), France (FFTM), Hungary (MKZS), Italy (UNIC), Germany (VDL), and Austria (FVTBSL).

Additionally, the project unveiled findings on the carbon footprint of leather in the “Carbon Footprint of European Bovine Leather” study, presented at the Final Conference in Brussels on May 16. Both studies highlighted the industry’s environmental and social credentials, providing tanneries with guidance to enhance their sustainability.

Additionally, the project unveiled findings on the carbon footprint of leather in the “Carbon Footprint of European Bovine Leather” study, presented at the Final Conference in Brussels on May 16. Both studies highlighted the industry’s environmental and social credentials, providing tanneries with guidance to enhance their sustainability.

The main insights on occupational health and safety include:

  • Tannery-related accidents in EU countries surveyed (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, and Austria) declined by 16%, from 1,317 in 2019 to 1,102 in 2021.
  • However, with an incidence rate of 3.2% in 2021, 15% on the way to/from work, and over 90% of recorded accidents being qualified as of “minor” severity, there is still room for improvement.

Safety at the Workplace Study

Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll European Trade Union said at the Green Deal Leather Final Conference:

“Good occupational health and safety practices in the workplace, with ongoing training and checks, are essential to keep tannery workers safe. Social dialogue is key, and trade unions and workers’ representatives must be able to highlight any issues to management and know that they will be acted on swiftly. These preliminary results are a baseline and now we must work together to achieve zero accidents.”

The main insights into the environmental impact include:

  • Calculating leather’s carbon footprint is a complex exercise that requires a thorough understanding of the tanning industry, its processes and products.
  • The result obtained with the ECO2L method indicates an average of 8kg of CO2 per m2 of bovine leather in EU tannery processes.
  • This figure can vary based on specific characteristics of the leather, such as thickness and performance requirements. Therefore, since each batch of leather is made to order, customers have the opportunity to influence the eco-design of their leather products.
  • Excluding the impact of livestock breeding reveals the actual footprint of leather tanning and the importance of chemicals used during the tanning process, but also that replacing one chemical with another that has a lower carbon footprint does not always result in overall improvement.

Carbon Footprint Study

Mr. Manuel Rios, President of COTANCE: “Through the Green Deal Leather project, COTANCE continues to equip European tanners with the tools and intelligence needed to progress towards a more sustainable future. We believe that transparency is key to advancing our social and environmental credentials and dispelling common misconceptions about leather. We are proud to undertake this journey hand in hand with our social partners.”

https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/product/campaigns/content-blocks/boxedText.svg

The Final Conference of the GDL project showcased the work and achievements of the social partners, who, in these last two years, have gathered and produced data that will greatly benefit the tanning and leather sector globally. By working together in social dialogue, the European leather industry produces tools and intelligence which contribute to worker safety, protect the environment, and promote sustainable, high-quality leather, supporting millions of jobs worldwide.

The Final Conference of the GDL project showcased the work and achievements of the social partners, who, in these last two years, have gathered and produced data that will greatly benefit the tanning and leather sector globally. By working together in social dialogue, the European leather industry produces tools and intelligence which contribute to worker safety, protect the environment, and promote sustainable, high-quality leather, supporting millions of jobs worldwide.

So, next time you’re deciding between leather and another material, remember that choosing European leather not only offers a high-quality experience that you can enjoy for a long time but also delivers a product crafted with the utmost care for both employees and the environment.

Edited by

In cooperation with

If you want to go further:
Green Deal Leather – Final Conference | Press Release
EURACTIV about us | Website
Brussels Times about us | Website

Read more linguistic versions and former Newsletters.

World leather day

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World Leather Day:
Celebrating Leather Together

Today, COTANCE joins the entire world in celebrating Leather!

On April 26, 2024, we come together as an industry to celebrate World Leather Day, honoring leather’s enduring and unique qualities. This year we are focusing on the “Repair, Reuse, Repurpose” theme emphasizing the long-lasting, repairable, and versatile qualities of leather that make it the ideal material for a circular society.

So let’s explore what MORE leather can offer to YOU!

We all understand that choosing leather goes beyond selecting a beautiful and high-quality material that elevates your image and mood – it’s a bold statement to the world.

But there’s even more to it than you might realize. Whether you know it or not, with leather, you opt for a more sustainable, green, and slow-fashion world. By choosing leather, you’re not just selecting comfort and individuality for today; you’re investing in a greener, more sustainable future as leather articles can be easily repaired, reused, and repurposed, making it the best choice for sustainable practices.

Because Leather champions durability, it is natural that we keep REUSING it.

– Choosing leather allows you to REUSE it, meaning re-wearing your leather footwear naturally season after season. And if issues like worn heels or soles arise, you can have them repaired quickly and affordably in just one day at your local shoe repair workshop.

– Choosing leather allows you to REUSE it by passing your cherished leather item over from generation to generation. Think of your father’s leather briefcase, a symbol of his hard work and dedication, or the leather couch you took from home when moving into your first apartment. Quality vintage items like this never go out of fashion.

– and of course, choosing leather brings economic advantages. Extending the life of leather items means we shop less and save money (just shared one of the secrets of wealth – no need to thank us 🙂 )

For more inspiration on leather’s longevity and versatility visit the world’s first-ever digital exhibition “It’s a Long Story” by Leather Naturally.

Because Leather is aging gracefully, it’s remarkably simple to REPAIR it.

When you repair your leather goods, you breathe new life into your favorite items, deepening the connection between you and the goods that are part of your personal story. Just as we strive to repair relationships rather than end them, fixing leather enhances its longevity and value.

Watch the Alliance France Cuir demonstration on how nice and beneficial it is to repair your leather items. Well, if a leather bag survived a 476 kg metal band saw cutting at 100 meters per minute, imagine how well it can withstand everyday wear and tear!

Or explore the 120-year-old craftsmanship of the BootRepair Company and be amazed by the heritage behind each repair. So then next time, instead of buying a new pair of shoes, consider repairing them or treating them to a leather spa experience.

Remember, by repairing your leather items, you not only reduce waste and save money but also strengthen the bond with your personal belongings.

Because leather is a very supple material, it is extremely easy to REPURPOSE it.

Leather belts can be creatively repurposed into carry bags, camera straps, stylish dog collars, or personalized bracelets. Leather wallets can be transformed into durable ties for gardening or workshops, chic pulls for DIY furniture, or elegant bookmarks.

Processed With Darkroom

And it’s not just individuals who are doing this; brands like Hermès are championing the reinvention of everyday objects using leather leftovers and other materials, in their Petit h atelier. They forge surprising connections between artists and craftsmen, creating new alliances between expertise and natural materials. Why not join the movement?

To start with, get inspired with Nquart‘s step-by-step leather crafting guides and create your own exclusive, personalised leather items. Enjoy each stage of this creative process – give it a try and have fun!

Alternatively, discover how to upcycle your old leather jacket with just a few simple steps by watching a short video from craftsman Yusuf Osman.

The leather has so much to offer! Beyond being beautiful, natural, and durable, leather articles can be easily repaired, reused, and repurposed, making it the best choice for sustainable practices. By extending the life of leather goods, we minimize waste, reduce landfill use, and lessen environmental impact.

If leather isn’t one of the best sustainable investment decisions, we don’t know what is!

Agree? Help us spread the word to have more people celebrate the versatility and sustainability of leather!

Edited by

In cooperation with

If you want to go further:
Green Deal Leather – Final Conference | Website
Alliance France Cuir | Website
Leather Naturally | Webwebsite

https://euroleather.com/leather/newsletter

Cotance newsletter may 2024

/in /by

Towards Zero Adverse Impact of the European Leather Industry:

Final Conference

On May 16, in Brussels, the European Tanning and Leather social partners, COTANCE and industriAll Europe held the Green Deal Leather Final Conference, concluding a two-year, EU-funded Social Dialogue project ‘Towards Zero Adverse Impact of the European Leather Industry – GREEN DEAL LEATHER’.

The event attracted around 100 on-site attendees and marked the end of a successful, EU-funded social dialogue project between the European social partners as well as national representatives from Spain (ACEXPIEL), Portugal (APIC), France (FFTM), Hungary (MKZS), Italy (UNIC), Germany (VDL), and Austria (FVTBSL).

The two-year EU-funded Green Deal Leather (GDL) project has, for the first time, provided comprehensive data on workplace safety within EU tanneries, detailed in the “Injuries/Incidents at the Workplace” study released in Lineapelle/Milan on September 19, 2023.

Additionally, the project unveiled findings on the carbon footprint of leather in the “Carbon Footprint of European Bovine Leather” study, presented at the Final Conference in Brussels on May 16. Both studies highlighted the industry’s environmental and social credentials, providing tanneries with guidance to enhance their sustainability.

The main insights on occupational health and safety include:

  • Tannery-related accidents in EU countries surveyed (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary, and Austria) declined by 16%, from 1,317 in 2019 to 1,102 in 2021.
  • However, with an incidence rate of 3.2% in 2021, 15% on the way to/from work, and over 90% of recorded accidents being qualified as of “minor” severity, there is still room for improvement.

Safety at the Workplace Study

Trade Union said at the Green Deal Leather Final Conference:

“Good occupational health and safety practices in the workplace, with ongoing training and checks, are essential to keep tannery workers safe. Social dialogue is key, and trade unions and workers’ representatives must be able to highlight any issues to management and know that they will be acted on swiftly. These preliminary results are a baseline and now we must work together to achieve zero accidents.”

Judith Kirton-Darling, General Secretary of industriAll European Trade Union said at the Green Deal Leather Final Conference:

“Good occupational health and safety practices in the workplace, with ongoing training and checks, are essential to keep tannery workers safe. Social dialogue is key, and trade unions and workers’ representatives must be able to highlight any issues to management and know that they will be acted on swiftly. These preliminary results are a baseline and now we must work together to achieve zero accidents.”

The main insights into the environmental impact include:

  • Calculating leather’s carbon footprint is a complex exercise that requires a thorough understanding of the tanning industry, its processes and products.
  • The result obtained with the ECO2L method indicates an average of 8kg of CO2 per m2 of bovine leather in EU tannery processes.
  • This figure can vary based on specific characteristics of the leather, such as thickness and performance requirements. Therefore, since each batch of leather is made to order, customers have the opportunity to influence the eco-design of their leather products.
  • Excluding the impact of livestock breeding reveals the actual footprint of leather tanning and the importance of chemicals used during the tanning process, but also that replacing one chemical with another that has a lower carbon footprint does not always result in overall improvement.

Carbon Footprint Study

Mr. Manuel Rios, President of COTANCE: “Through the Green Deal Leather project, COTANCE continues to equip European tanners with the tools and intelligence needed to progress towards a more sustainable future. We believe that transparency is key to advancing our social and environmental credentials and dispelling common misconceptions about leather. We are proud to undertake this journey hand in hand with our social partners.”

The Final Conference of the GDL project showcased the work and achievements of the social partners, who, in these last two years, have gathered and produced data that will greatly benefit the tanning and leather sector globally. By working together in social dialogue, the European leather industry produces tools and intelligence which contribute to worker safety, protect the environment, and promote sustainable, high-quality leather, supporting millions of jobs worldwide.

So, next time you’re deciding between leather and another material, remember that choosing European leather not only offers a high-quality experience that you can enjoy for a long time but also delivers a product crafted with the utmost care for both employees and the environment.

Edited by

In cooperation with

If you want to go further:
Green Deal Leather – Final Conference | Press Release
EURACTIV about us | Website
Brussels Times about us | Website

Read more linguistic versions and former Newsletters.