Mike Redwood

History reminds us just how versatile and ubiquitous it is, all based on its properties and beauty. Its durability and longevity means it is still available after hundreds of years to help us interpret the past. Amazing. You can’t do this with plastic.

It costs almost nothing to join Leather Naturally and use its materials and graphics to promote your own leather while backing the organisations to develop it further and create more remarkable initiatives like the repairers register, leather truthfully, leather making manual and so on. So little work is being done by tanners to promote leather no amount of complaining will stop cheap synthetics eating your lunch. Outcome hides and skins remain as a waste material just as we say they are. No one else to blame than ourselves.

The urban leather world will be a challenge, but it could offer a bonanza to tanners who take it on. https://lnkd.in/ea3fHb3v

Given that this is the third oil producer in a row hosting the COP meeting they have honed their approach to prove that fossil fuels will still be required until 2050 as long as they are low carbon in production - can you believe it - and used for things like making hydrogen and capturing carbon. Plus also making more and more petrochemicals which include the plastics that ran alongside leather for a long time and now are actively pushing hides and skins into landfill at the abattoirs. Another widely distributed Leather Manifesto would be a useful tool. Keep up the momentum for leather.

This excellent design competition, now in its fourth year is introducing leather to design and fashion students across the world. It also supports leather entrepreneurs in important areas of the Global South lie Africa.

After a generally positive Lineapelle and TanningTech the leather industry would benefit from clarifying who are its friends and future partners and who are its enemies. https://lnkd.in/e3jNyTrR

The science of leather making is important but we must not overlook the aesthetics; and there is no better place than Italy to be reminded of it.

“Managing this muddle and escaping harm when inevitable interruptions arise requires strong balance sheets and a clear strategic focus. Understanding your competences, maintaining quality and innovation while supporting your trade associations and the communications bodies will be essential. And keep going to the industry trade fairs!”

“The categories are the Basic Leather Research Grant for €1,500 (sponsored by Tyson Leather), the Professor Mike Redwood Sustainability/Environmental Grant for €1,000 (sponsored by Leather Naturally) and the Leather Machinery/Equipment Grant for €1,000 (sponsored by Italprogetti).”

We can shout loudly about leather being the best but without providing, and continuing to provide, top quality scientific evidence the cause will be lost. Those who think they are good at the shouting need to remember that these up to date and accurate facts are essential. So third party audits do matter.