Sciarada is revolutionizing the tanning industry by offering sustainable, high-end leathers through innovation in production techniques
Leather tanning is an ancient art that has seen its development throughout the centuries. From a craft skill, tanning has grown into a full-fledged industry, capable of producing high-quality hides for a wide variety of applications. As in any field, however, progress never stops, and the tanning industry is no exception. Today, thanks to a new product called Evolo®, leather tanning is entering a new era of sustainability and innovation. Bringing this new product to life is Sciarada, the company based in Castelfranco di Sotto, in the province of Pisa, which has been tanning hides for more than 50 years. Founded in 1969 by Giovanni Sciarada, the company has been able to maintain the artisan tradition of tanning over time while constantly innovating its production. Thanks to a strong focus on quality and attention to environmental sustainability, Sciarada has become a benchmark in the tanning industry. But the real innovation comes with the introduction of the new product Evolo®. Evolo® is an innovative tanning process that uses leading-edge technology to reduce the environmental impact of leather production.Thanks to the use of plant extracts, the company has managed to replace chemicals traditionally used in tanning, reducing the emission of pollutants into the environment. Evolo® is not just about environmental sustainability: the technology used makes it possible to obtain high-quality leathers that are soft and durable, perfect for a wide variety of applications. The company has already won major awards for its innovation, including the Innovation Award from Lineapelle, one of the most important events in the tanning industry. At a time when environmental sustainability is increasingly in the spotlight, the introduction of Evolo® represents an important step forward for the tanning industry, and Sciarada confirms itself as a company at the forefront of research and innovation. We had the pleasure of interviewing Federica Daddi, company sales expert, who has been working closely with clients for years. Thanks to her experience in the field, Federica told us how Evolo® has revolutionized the way of understanding leather tanning and responding to clients’ needs.
Evolo® represents a new frontier: what is it and what benefits does it bring?
“Evolo® represents an important step forward for the tanning industry, as it offers the possibility of producing high-quality leathers with a reduced environmental impact. This product has been studied over the course of several years, and thanks to its advanced technology, it makes it possible to obtain hides that respect the principles of the circular economy. One of its main advantages is the reduction of chemicals used in the tanning process, which leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and lower environmental impact. In addition, thanks to the use of plant extracts, it is possible to obtain leathers that maintain a natural appearance and are resistant to use and wear. But Evolo®’s performance is not limited to environmental sustainability: the product also offers an unlimited range of particularly deep and intense colors, and it is highly versatile, non-staining, and UV-resistant. These features make it an ideal choice for designers and creative people who want to produce high-quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly products. The introduction of Evolo® has enabled the company to expand its market, meeting the needs of an audience that is increasingly focused on sustainability and product quality. In addition, LVG’s certification and performance in physical testing confirm the sustainability and excellent performance of this product. This process is an important step forward toward increasingly sustainable and environmentally friendly leather production.”
What is special about Evolo® compared to other traditional tanning products, and why might it be a good choice for companies?
“Usually, niche or special products tend to have a higher cost than more common products, which often limits their distribution. For example, natural or eco-friendly products, while more sustainable, have a higher price tag that often discourages purchase. However, the interesting thing about Evolo® is that it is not expensive compared to other regular crusts, but is quite in line with market prices. This makes it an affordable and sustainable option for companies that want to produce high- quality hides without incurring excessive costs. Evolo® has already been on the market for some time, and the company has also reintroduced it in a heavier thickness. This demonstrates the validity and the customers’ interest in the product.”
What are the future prospects for Evolo® and how might Charades production evolve in this area?
“Personally, I believe that Evolo® is becoming more and more important within the production of Charades and could even become a product line in its own right. Different types of Evolo® could be developed, suitable for both footwear, leather goods and apparel, therefore expanding the range of sustainable products offered. We hope, in general, that consumers will become increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability in their final choice, and that companies will respond to this market demand with increasingly eco-friendly products. We hope that the future of the tanning industry will be characterized by greater respect for the environment, worker health and product quality.”
What trends were seen during the fair?
“In general, we noticed that the active presence of visitors at the fair was very high, especially in the first few days, noting a positive return especially with regard to suede and crust leather, which had seen a decline in interest in recent years, mainly due to the sneaker market. However, the use of crusts in products such as boots, ankle boots, men’s dress shoes, and women’s pumps remains popular. This prompts us to continue exploring and adopting new techniques, such as using more talc treated coats, to meet new market demands and offer high quality and sustainable products.”