In an attempt to improve the quality of the country’s leather, a Leather Technology Centre is being built in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. It is the first of its kind in central western Brazil and will carry out tests and research on cattle leather as well as sheep, pig, alligator, fish, capybara, ostrich, chinchilla, and even frogs. The Centre of Leather Technology (CTC) will eventually house five laboratories for research and product testing.

The project is being supported by 15 partners, such as the Studies and Projects Funding Body (Finep), connected to the Ministry of Science and Technology, which was responsible for the largest part of the funds, of the Mato Grosso do Sul state Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), of the Federation of Industries of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, universities and unions.