The Arzignano company has signed an agreement for northern Italy with the American company, a leader in the development and marketing of high-quality, environmentally friendly fatliquors and specialty chemicals
It is a prestigious agreement, but at the same time fundamental for future growth prospects, the one signed at the end of 2023 and operational since the beginning of this year by Teknoleather of Arzignano (Vicenza). They are a chemical company founded in 2013 and active in the international tanning sector, which offers cutting-edge solutions, service flexibility, know-how and high-quality chemical products to guarantee the best possible performance in all processing phases. In fact, the Vicenza company, which operates in one of the most important leather districts in the world, has become an Atlas reseller for the Veneto region and northern Italy, while the agency for Europe and the rest of the country is another company, the Tuscan Leather Kem, with which a partnership agreement has been signed regarding product sales.
Atlas Refinery, Inc., a US company based in Newark, New Jersey, is a leader in the development and marketing of an ever-expanding range of high-quality, environmentally friendly fatliquors and specialty chemicals for the leather industry. Founded in 1887, through five generations of family ownership, Atlas has maintained a careful and continuous study of industry trends, providing customers with a competitive advantage in the marketplace of tomorrow through extensive research and development programmes. As an innovative fatliquor supplier, it is the first company in the United States to successfully develop and market synthetic substitutes for natural oil. While the Atlas Refinery range of oils and chemicals is very broad, in reality it continues to evolve almost daily as many new products and variations of established materials are continually developed to meet specific needs as they arise, all while maintaining the constantly changing regulatory and environmental challenges of the global marketplace.
“This is an important agreement,” explains Teknoleather CEO Santino Mecenero, who oversaw the process that led to the agreement with the US company, “as Atlas Refinery represents one of the most important and historical brands in the world for the sector. It was not an easy negotiation, we worked on it for about a year, but in the end we are satisfied with the agreement reached, with satisfaction on both sides. It was an interesting and engaging journey, with the top management of Atlas visiting Arzignano, and us travelling to New Jersey to visit their headquarters.”
Do you consider this to be timely with the current market momentum, with most analysts pointing to a possible global recovery in the second half of this year?
“As of today it is very difficult to predict how 2024 will go, but certainly that of a recovery in the second half of the year is something we all wish for. Our agreement, however, goes beyond the current market situation, and is conceived in a logic of development from here to the coming years.
Do you already have an idea of which products you will deal with as a reseller?
“In particular, we are working with them on special products, such as polymers and waxes, fireproof and waterproof products, in which Atlas historically has great know-how. It is precisely in this area that the highest business is likely, but of course everything will be linked to market demand. At the moment we do not plan to expand our staff, but we are ready to do so according to necessity”.
In terms of research and development, will there be cooperation between you and Atlas Refinery, Inc. after you become their reseller?
“Certainly, it is crucial for us to collaborate with them in this respect as well, to better respond to client needs, especially in the Arzignano area. For example, we are working to bring 100% bio-based, formaldehyde-free and sulphate-free polymers to the market of this district, which we believe will be able to respond particularly well to the needs and demands that come from the tanning world today”.
Will the agreement with the U.S. company also allow you to integrate your know-how, perhaps through the purchase of their products, or vice versa could the opposite possibly happen?
“Certainly, having such a synergy will benefit both parties. It will be interesting to increase and develop new know-how regarding the special products in which Atlas is such an expert, and I believe that this exchange will also be stimulating for them.”
Atlas Refinery, Inc is as environmentally friendly in the leather industry as you are. Was this unequivocal focus on sustainability a determining factor in reaching this agreement?
“Absolutely, it was crucial for us to work with a partner who was in line with our principles and who gave sustainability the same value as we do. We are convinced that on the basis of this agreement we will also discuss the next steps to be taken, anticipating the relevant regulations, on the subject of sustainability.”
How is your commitment to sustainability and the prestige of your brand progressing?
“At the beginning of this year we also certified ISO 14001, which represents the integrated environmental management system, and since 2016 we have been certified ISO 9001, for quality. For us, certifications are crucial, because they allow us to put our structure to the test and highlight which areas are the most critical, with a view to continuous improvement. The international environmental recognition ZDHC, which in addition to certifying the management system, with its continuously evolving MRSL is first and foremost a product certification, allows us to guarantee the sustainability of our products to our customers. At the same time, however, it also pushes us to work increasingly on research and improvement, and this is a fundamental stimulus for us, a challenge that we are pleased to accept every day.”
How important was it for you to obtain ZDHC certification?
“Very much, this is also confirmed to us almost daily by our clients and partners. ZDHC stands for ‘Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals’. There are more than 200 products in our range that boast the certification, and we are further expanding our offering to meet the demands of an increasingly demanding and selective market. Through the special platform offered by ZDHC, known as ‘Gateway’, tanneries can access and have real-time assurance of the product certification they need.
Santino Mecenero at IILF fair in Chennai