IULTCS president’s message of optimism
At the start of his two-year tenure, the new president of the International Union of Leather Technologists’ and Chemists’ Societies (IULTCS), Jean-Pierre Gualino, has said there is much for the global leather industry to be optimistic about at the start of 2022.
In his first message as president, Mr Gualino, who is the founder of French leather chemicals manufacturer ATC, said the performance of the luxury leathergoods sector is strong and that there has been “a commendable recovery” in the footwear and furniture sectors. He accepted that the automotive leather sector remains uncertain owing, he said, to factors outside its control, but said: “We can be optimistic about the future of our industry.”
He warned against complacency, however, and said companies across the industry must continue working to be more sustainable and improve the environmental impact of leather manufacturing. They must increase their use of cleaner production methods, bio-sourced raw materials and recycled products, the IULTCS president said, and at the same time reduce their consumption of fossil fuel-based products and water.
Mr Gualino also called on the industry to challenge “misleading and false information from campaign groups”.
IULTCS encourages the tanning industry to use science and technology to produce accurate, reliable and verifiable data about its work and its environmental footprint, the president said, adding that this would enable the industry to continue to thrive and to promote a positive image to consumers.
“These are exciting times for our industry,” he concluded, “as we emerge from the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. I am very confident that with IULTCS by its side, the leather industry will continue to move in a positive direction.”
Image: Pitti Immagini
