Leather sector to receive funds for environmental research
13/09/2007
Francisco Gomes, president of the Association of Tanners of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (AICSul), has signed an agreement with the federal Project and Study Funding Department (Finep) for the release of $260,000 in new funding to help the leather industry.
The money is to be invested in new technologies that will help reduce the environmental impact of the leather industry, focusing specifically on the impact of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and the metals used in leather finishing.
The project is supported by the Brazilian Service for Assistance to Small and Medium-sized Businesses (Sebrae) and is to be implemented by the Leather Technology Centre, Senai, of Estância Velha.
Mr Gomes has said that this is another effort to keep the leather industry in southern-Brazil updated in technology and innovation.
Miriam Fofonka, manager of a current Sebrae project looking at leather and footwear, commented that the support from Finep will encourage the production of higher added-value leather in the region.
The leather sector in Rio Grande do Sul is seeking to obtain a geographical identification seal for its leather, and industry commentators believe these new funds will help it achieve this objective.
