BLC Leather Technology Centre (BLC) and Leather Industries of America (LIA) have announced the formal adoption of a new co-operation agreement. The UK and US associations have been collaborating successfully for six years, and announced the new agreement during the Asia Pacific Leather Fair in April.

Under the previous agreement BLC’s Dr Nick Cory directed the construction of a new state of the art research laboratory at the University of Cincinnati, which increased its analytical and performance testing capability fourfold. In addition, BLC undertook a major research programme on chromium chemistry on behalf of LIA and served as the major technical resource in the area of education and training.

Dr Nick Cory will transfer to the LIA team under the new agreement as technical director of the research laboratory. BLC will also continue to consult extensively for individual LIA members in areas such as process control, environmental compliance and productivity enhancement.