Arzignano mayor reveals key to balance between growth and sustainability

08/06/2017
The mayor of Arzignano, home to one of Italy’s biggest tanning clusters, Dr Giorgio Gentilin, has said research and innovation are essential if the leather industry there is to keep growing while maintaining its respect for the environment.

He said a “systemic approach”, with technologists, chemicals manufacturers, business leaders, industry bodies and political leaders all working together, was the key to keeping the right balance between growth and sustainability. “The environment has limits,” he said.

He confirmed that this approach in Arzignano has resulted in funding of more than €35 million for improvement projects at the cluster’s wastewater treatment plant over the next four years.

Dr Gentilin said there is proof of Italy’s leadership in responsible leather production in the work that Italian technologists and tanners are now being asked to carry out to help Asian operators emulate what they have done.