ProssimaPelle, record figures in Arzignano

A largely positive balance for ProssimaPelle, organized by Unpac (National Union of Italian Tanning Auxiliary Manufacturers), which in 2022 was held twice, respectively in the two main Italian leather districts – at the end of June in Santa Croce sull’Arno (Pisa) and in early December in Arzignano (Vicenza). In the past two years, some editions had to be postponed due to the pandemic.
In the event hosted in Veneto at the end of the year, the number of exhibitors (37) remained the same, but above all, the influx of entrepreneurs, technicians and industry insiders was remarkable, returning to pre-Covid 2019 levels. Once again, the formula of a single day event, found full approval from exhibitors and visitors (who arrived from various Italian cities). In 2023, the show will celebrate an important milestone, which is the tenth edition (so far, six have been organized in Santa Croce, the first ever in 2016, and the remaining three in Arzignano) that will be brought forward to May for the pre-summer event in Tuscany.
The 2022 edition of ProssimaPelle in Arzignano, sponsored by the municipality and the Veneto Leather District, was marked by the announcement (reported in statements by Deputy Mayor Marcigaglia opposite) that the former Marly’s factory, a historic women’s fashion brand that has hosted all three editions, has been purchased by the administration. Remarkable efforts were made by the organizers, who for the first time organized a free shuttle service for travel from the Destra Chiampo parking lot to the exhibition venue, located in the historic center of the city. As is always the case at ProssimaPelle in the afternoon, a technical panel entitled “Purification, waste, by-products: does the tanning industry need a systemic supply chain policy?” focused on the contributions, experiences and vision of representatives of the industrial system and the territory. The meeting, moderated by Maurizio Maggioni, Unpac secretary and director of the event, focused on possible future scenarios regarding circularity. Speakers at the conference were Matteo Macilotti, mayor of Chiampo, and from September 2022 the new director of the Veneto Leather District; Massimo Neresini (Sicit Group); Marco Nogarole (Stazione Sperimentale Pelli); and Alessandra Vangelista, who brought the experience of Officine di Cartigliano, one of the most important companies in the sector and particularly attentive to environmental sustainability.
“The presence of a large number of exhibitors and the interest that has already emerged during the booking phase,” explained Unpac president, entrepreneur Marco Frediani, during the opening of the proceedings, “confirms that the formula of ProssimaPelle, started with the intention of creating an event exclusively for tanners and clients of our sector, is a winner. In the two events of the year, spaced apart, one in the beginning of the summer in Santa Croce and the other in late autumn in Arzignano, fashion themes are anticipated: in Tuscany we are able to look ahead to the winter season of the following year while in Arzignano we are looking ahead to the summer, in both cases advancing the international fairs by 3-4 months. In the fall 2022 edition in Arzignano, we are very satisfied with what was on display, the exhibiting companies expressed their best creative interpretations from our “style and design department” especially in the area of colours and trends: this is an important aspect because our world also lives on new proposals. Until a few years ago in Arzignano there was less attention on innovative trends, later, items from footwear, handbags, as well as automotive and furniture were developed because they were more in demand by the market. But there is another aspect to highlight: the involvement of chemical companies in helping tannery technicians and sales offices become key to understanding the expectations of the season that will be offered at trade shows.”
In the two events promoted in 2022, Unpac organizers reintroduced a roundtable discussion on scientific issues. “The technical moment differentiates us from other similar events,” Frediani noted, “we believe it is our duty, in front of such a specialized and prepared audience, to discuss the problems of the sector and the choices to be made as a sector. The topic discussed in Arzignano focused on environmental sustainability, which we have been pursuing as an association for some time now. We have already organized meetings on this issue in Santa Croce and now we want to propose them again in Arzignano, because we believe it is important for chemical companies to be involved in the issues that concern sustainability and the purification. In some way we are responsible for the water that needs to be purified, so without the step of discussion and outreach towards water treatment, it would be difficult to improve in this area. Unpac wants to be the vehicle to create more transparency between chemical companies and treatment plants, perhaps the only way to improve in this area. Hopefully, tanners will embrace facing the improvement of chemical use together. I think the conference in this edition was well suited and allowed for a comparison in the future with both the Arzignano and Santa Croce purification plants.”
“The overall report of the 2022 editions of ProssimaPelle is very satisfying” Maurizio Maggioni said “this was demonstrated in the number of exhibitors and visitors. In Santa Croce and Arzignano we have reintroduced the tried and tested approach, also from an organizational point of view, which finds wide acceptance: probably if the event were extended over 2-3 days it would not be so successful and interesting. In addition, such a streamlined formula allows costs to be reduced, as there are no hotel expenses, and for companies operating in the district where it is organized, there are also no travel expenses. Also this year in Arzignano, as we had done in Tuscany, where the palasport was chosen as the location, we guaranteed free catering and the possibility throughout the day to have a coffee, an aperitif or a glass of wine, perhaps continuing to talk business. We are very satisfied; the most important thing is to be back to normal after a two-year period marked by the Covid alarm that obliged us to give up a few editions and with an inevitable reduction in the number of visitors. Now we are practically back to pre-Covid levels, as confirmed by the 220 pre- registrations that took place for the Arzignano event.”
The organizers’ goal is to “raise the bar” to make ProssimaPelle an increasingly attractive event. “Even in a fairly restricted sector like leather and tanning in general,” Maggioni observes, “we can say with certainty that not everyone knows everyone: that’s why events like these are able to create gathering together and even blending of interests. Because when it comes to the sector, we have to be the protagonists, not just talk and wait for events. One of the main tasks is precisely to create a supply chain, which also means ensuring added value on ecological and environmental protection aspects. What’s new in the 2023 edition? I can announce that the event in Santa Croce sull’Arno will be moved forward to the month of May with a formula that we are re-shaping, probably the format will change, but always over one day.”
Finally, as Unpac secretary and organizer of the event, Maggioni applauds the news of the future plans for the former Marly’s factory. “We were pleased to hear the announcement of the purchase of this area, in the three editions we have been very happy here. The municipality of Arzignano has decided to turn it into civic space to be able to host events such as these, also if then we will have to see the real feasibility for the issue related to the exhibitions. With the administrators there is a wide collaboration and convergence of ideas regarding what the goals for the future are as well.” www.prossimapelle.it

From the left, Maurizio Maggioni, Marco Frediani e Claudio Bortolati