Until recently, in the leather industry, if a tanner did all the work himself and had good control over everything, he was considered a good tanner. But times have changed and this is no longer enough in the leather industry. To improve their work, including social, environmental and any other area related to the leather production cycle, tanners must have an understanding of each stage of their work; For example, from basic raw materials to recycling opportunities must be properly known.
Why is the situation different? What new factors should tanners consider? And what opportunities do tanners who embrace new changes face in the leather industry?
The changes we see in the leather industry today have been achieved over the last 50 years. There is no doubt that the Industrial Revolution has led to great changes in human life in recent centuries, but it took a long time to recognize its negative effects. In the last 50 years, people’s awareness has increased and has led to a reduction in air pollution and pollutants and harmful substances. This awareness has been evident over the past decade, and we have all come to believe that the harm we do may affect future generations and lower their living standards.
Some even at the highest levels of management deny these destructive effects, but they are people who are becoming more and more isolated. Due to the increase in public awareness and the activities of non-governmental organizations and the large amount of information that is published on social media, these destructive effects have also become a concern for consumers. Most tannery brands need to be recognized as socially and environmentally active brands that are compatible with people’s concerns.
Tanks that keep pace with social and environmental developments have good business prospects. Of course, there are concerns about rising costs, but the reality is that many of these necessary changes will also save costs, and informed consumers will be more willing to pay more and buy better products. Anyone who doubts this statement should take a look at what is called organic food. Organic food has developed around the world to replace cheaper foods and products.
One of the concerns of many brands is the supply of raw materials. Brands want to know if raw skins obtained from different sources comply with environmental and animal rights standards.
Much progress has been made in this area. Essential information is provided to tanners, and systems are in place to transfer information from tanners to brands and consumers. In some areas, this information includes slaughterhouses, but it is also necessary to include farms and ranches. Concerns about raw materials are not just about the skin, but also about chemicals, water and energy. One of the problems is that chemical manufacturers do not want to disclose the process and all the ingredients of their products. leather industry
They consider these to be property rights. Perhaps the solution to this problem is for an independent licensing body to verify that a chemical company has met the required standards. In the case of water and energy, it must be clear from what sources the tanners supply them. This may be difficult in developing countries. For example, the impact of tanning on water resources is not yet known and no information has been collected about them.
One of the issues discussed in resource sustainability is regional access. The leather industry is more global than ever, but some brands certainly have opportunities to turn to regional sources. At the same time, opportunities must be created to reduce transport impacts and barriers, and to bring their source or supplier countries into line with the environmental standards of the destination countries or brands. The purpose here is not to examine the performance of tanners, but to examine factors beyond their control.
However, there is a factor in tanning that needs to be addressed. In the past, it did not matter what the fate of a piece of leather would be and where it would end up. But today, its fate has mattered to them from the beginning. In other words, all materials used in shoes, sofas and other things should not be thrown in the trash after they have expired, but should be recycled and used as raw materials for other products.
Although this process is beyond the control of tanners, they can use chemicals in the production of leather more carefully so as not to have a negative impact on the nature of the leather and can be recycled for other products. Many tanners work with brands to produce the right leather for recycling and use in other products.
Another important factor is tanners using existing technologies to produce light leathers. This type of leather has many advantages and is more used in making airplane seats. Also, every car manufacturer hopes to be able to produce lighter vehicles. For such manufacturers to reduce even one gram of car weight is very important. Also, the use of light leather in cars and airplanes makes transportation with less fuel and saves fuel consumption.
Brands are still looking for alternatives to leather in the search for sustainable solutions and products. The leather industry needs to be aware of this and act rationally with calculated measures. In addition, it is necessary to improve the standards of production and use of leather in the leather industry around the world through education and legislation, and to use it properly.
There are customers who want to use durable products produced with the latest technologies, regardless of prices. There are others who have never been interested in this approach. But the vast majority of people are in the middle of these two groups. They should be encouraged and explained the benefits of the products before making a purchase decision. It is too late to work in secret, but tanners must show openly that they are doing the right thing and inform buyers of the benefits of their work and products. leather industry
Moving towards a more productive future also creates more opportunities, but it must be remembered that the benefits and advantages of each product also have limitations. There is still debate as to whether raw skin is a by-product of the dairy industry, but regardless of the end result of this debate, the use of natural products will be more compatible with today’s world. Therefore, this important point should be kept in mind when spreading the use of leather. Many of the world’s top brands want to continue to use leather and even increase the amount.
Therefore, the benefit of the leather industry is to help tanners meet the needs of today’s people and brands. In order to address the concerns of brands, more monitoring is done on the activities of the leather production cycle. For this reason, tanners face conflicting standards and must meet the different needs of customers. This may be a threat to the leather industry. But the opportunity is here that tanners and brands can work together to achieve standards that are appropriate for a wide range of customers.
In recent decades, leather has undergone extensive movement between developing and developing countries. Certainly, the new standards will lead to a process in which leather producers will be forced to comply with environmental and social standards. This new arena has threats that may be a great opportunity for others. Meanwhile, the brave leather industry with a history of more than half a century of experience and pioneer in technology and promotion of leather in the Iranian leather industry has taken the lead in this way and is presenting its new products to the market. leather industry
