A series of events are to take place in the European Union (EU) in November under the banner of Tanweek to celebrate the role of science in turning the ancient leather trade into a pioneering biotech industry.

Organised by COTANCE (The Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community) as part of the European Science and Technology Week, the main event of Tanweek will be an open conference in Bologna, Italy, during the world’s largest leather fair, Lineapelle (5-7 November 2002).

Also in November 2002 there will be a series of national seminars in other EU member states, including Greece, Spain, Sweden and Portugal. A brochure and video are also planned to illustrate how science has improved the production of leather in Europe, highlighting the environmental benefits and how they positively affect the public.