The third edition of the IULTCS Eurocongress, scheduled for Sept. 18-22, 2022 at the Vicenza Convention Center, is taking shape and form. The event, which has ambitious goals well represented in the effective summary of its title -”Renaissance: The next Leather Generation”-is organized by AICC, the Italian Association of Leather Chemists, with the industry’s leading names. The topics that will be addressed during this important event concern future developments in the chemistry of the tanning industry, innovative technologies to be used in leather processing, the search for new approaches and synergies to create alternative analytical methods for testing Chemicals and, last but not least, the analysis of revolutionary scenarios that will shelter the environment from the impact caused by the entire industrial chain. Dr. Giancarlo Lovato of Corichem and President of the Congress, together with AICC President Mariano Mecenero, explained how this was made possible during the last edition of Lineapelle held in February.
Finally, the third edition of the IULTCS Eurocongress will be held in Vicenza, Italy.
“Yes, we can say that finally, after more than 15 years the event is coming back to our territory. If memory serves, the last international event of this kind was held in 2005.”
To be provocative, can we say that you had lost hope?
“Hope, no but we can say without any doubt that to organize such an event required a large group of people dedicated to make it happen. Nothing is taken for granted. Moreover, we needed some special conditions within AICC for this to become a reality. Bureaucracy is never something to be underestimated because, in such cases, as you can well imagine, it is essential to organize a precise plan of activities, to say what we want to do and how we want to do it. Fortunately, we were able to put together a cohesive group, thanks in part to AICC President Mariano Mecenero. We applied and it was granted.”
What do you expect from this Congress?
“Specifically we expect a booster to innovation and research. The purpose of this Congress is precisely to bring people together so that they can exchange ideas, projects and innovation in general. But not only that. In addition to reviewing what has been done so far, it is meant to be an opportunity to stimulate each other to further improve and progress in all fields of activity. So from such a Congress we expect it to be just that, namely an inciter of innovative ideas and fruitful synergies.”
What will be the most relevant new features of this new edition compared to the past?
“Compared to the past, we have worked a lot on the sector, understood not only as the Italian Association, but we have focused on the entire supply chain. In the preparation of the application itself, and then in the continuation of the organization, we therefore approached the other sectoral associations: Assomac for machines, UNPAC for chemicals and UNIC for tanneries. In addition, since we are in the area, we also involved the Veneto Leather District. Our desire from the beginning was to organize a well-structured event by asking for everyone’s input. In this way we have put in place not only the AICC strengths but also the skills, knowledge, guidelines and ideas of our other stakeholders. They were all very happy to join us, and demonstrate that all these trade associations are represented on the organizing committee.”
And is this the first time this has happened?
“Absolutely yes, it has never happened before.”
How important is it today to structure the entirely synergistic and efficient supply chain?
“The world of the end consumer, the end user, requires producers to have more control over all processes so that they can ensure a sustainable path throughout the product’s life. Working in the supply chain thus becomes more and more important, and with each passing year, it will be even more so. Relationships between companies are no longer reduced to mere buyer-seller relationships, but are increasingly developing in the form of true partnerships.
So, tanneries have become partners with chemical manufacturers, slaughterhouses have become partners with tanneries, and so on… This represents one of Italy’s strengths. Close collaborations between chemical developers, machinery developers, and tanneries means that one stimulates the other and vice versa, and they are increasingly incentivizing each other to develop. Indeed, this approach is having very positive effects in all districts, be it the Arzignano, Tuscany, Lombardy or Campania region. And it is a plus that is helping us grow a lot because the end user sees that the whole process is conducted with a certain criterion, aimed precisely at being more and more sustainable, more and more efficient, with less waste of resources and therefore more effective. Let us also not forget to mention those who use by-products because they will also be attending the Congress. Probably, during the final day, we will plan a visit just inside a company that uses by-products to show all participants that even what is discarded from tanneries is not completely wasted, but can also be reused.”
The use of the word Renaissance in the title of the Congress is not accidental….
“The title was studied by the technical committee and then brought to the organizing committee for discussion. It was precisely envisioned that this event should represent the actual restart phase of the entire industry. We asked ourselves: what is that historical period that everyone in the world knows for bringing great innovations, strong technological development and marked cultural improvement? The answer was: the Renaissance. So it was natural to use this term in the title and keep it in its original form because in reality the Renaissance started in Italy. We are convinced that we are able to give that necessary input to start a new “Renaissance” even within the tanning industry. One of the ultimate goals, as I said before, would be to stimulate companies to progress and improve further.”
What is the biggest challenge for the sector?
“The biggest challenge is being able to demonstrate to the outside world that in fact the tanning sector represents a circular economy model. We want to be able to present data and numbers that validate this assumption. A number of papers with this specific purpose will be presented during the Congress. The tanning sector has great potential and is, for all intents and purposes, circular and sustainable.
The biggest challenge therefore is to be able to convey this message: the reuse of hides is a great service to all humanity. Not having to permanently destroy and dispose of animal sector waste is a beautiful message of circularity that the leather sector must be able to communicate to the outside world. Making these waste materials valuable elements of everyday use is one of our main missions.”
In an ideal future, in your opinion, can a shoe be completely recycled?
“In my opinion yes, and that is what we are all working on. Great strides have been made and many remnants from leather and tanning processes can already be recycled. As we progress in development and research, in my opinion, complete circularity will be a concrete fact. It will be possible, for example, to recover old skins from bags and with them create something else, giving them a new life. Even just a simple resurfacing will allow complete circularity. In my opinion, the industry is already on this path, and as months and years go by, progress will become more and more tangible.”
Last question: the technology factor, and the man factor…do they still marry well?
“Of course, they still marry very well especially in the tanning sector. We have made remarkable technological steps, substantial improvements from the point of view of machines and automation. Remarkable, however, remains the contribution that people can make. The creative ability, the experience, the know-how, as we say today, of the human being makes these machines work at their best. Let’s say without the man the machine alone cannot work. Automation helps, relieves from a whole range of work that is particularly heavy, but it is the human being who, by taking advantage of these kinds of machines, is able to bring something tangible and useful to life. So I think in any industry, including the chemical industry, ours, the human component is crucial.”
Giancarlo Lovato, president of the Congress, together with AICC President Mariano Mecenero and Laura Vantin, member of the Communication Commission of the EuroCongress