Market Intelligence: Hardly anything more progressive than leather
A new edition of our exclusive Market Intelligence newsletter went live on November 5, providing readers with insight into leather value chain, from raw material to finished product.
This time, the report’s authors suggest that the low point in the negative trend for leather as a product “has probably already been reached or is not far away”.
Indications that Market Intelligence points to in backing this up include the recently announced re-evaluation of the impact score for bovine leather in the Higg Materials Sustainability Index. It says this suggests “a change in the assessment of the environmental compatibility of leather” is in the wind.
It also hints at a shift in public opinion, stemming from “a counter-movement” that is in evidence in many countries in which, not long ago, vocal opposition to leather was very common.
It says tanners must keep upcycling hides from meat production in a responsible way, to make it possible for companies to make and for consumers to buy long-lasting products that are a counter to ‘fast fashion’.
It concludes that “there is hardly anything more progressive, modern and in keeping with the spirit of the times than leather”. It says it is just a question now of waiting for more marketing departments at global brands “to rediscover its potential”.
However, although it says there are reasons to believe that an improvement can occur within a time frame of 12-24 months, it points out that this will probably be too long to provide a lifeline for everyone.
