Protein’s popularity can be a plus for leather, CICB chair says
Earlier this year, Brazil’s national tanning industry association CICB elected Carlos Obregon as the new chair of its board of directors. Mr Obregon is a director of JBS Couros.
Also on the board are Edson Vanzella de Souza of Vancouros as first vice-chair and Gilmar Harth of Couros Bom Retiro as second vice-chair.
These and the other leather industry professionals on the CICB board work closely with the organisation’s executive team, led by executive president, José Fernando Bello.
In recent comments, Mr Obregon said he hoped the current trend for consuming protein in the form of gelatine and other food supplements could help the leather industry. “If young consumers are coming to appreciate protein,” he explained, “they should appreciate leather too because the raw material for both is the same. A hide is 100% protein.”
He said he had the impression that many younger consumers may not view leather as an attractive material at the moment.
“But things are changing quickly,” he added. “I hope more people will come to see that a sustainable product is one that comes from renewable resources, one that is circular and one that will last for a long time, not just for one fashion season.”
Image: CICB.
