Tanners sign agreement on cleaner production

CICA, the Argentine tanners' association and the Ministry for Environment and Development have signed an agreement to promote cleaner production in the sector. The 'cleaner production action plan' was launched in August this year by the Ministry. Industry consultant Roberto Escobar explains: 'One of the project's objectives is to promote productivity and enable the companies involved to become more competitive, by assisting them in the evaluation of environmental aspects, with the emphasis on preventative measures.' The plan will support research and also provide training for tannery personnel on new techniques being developed in the industry. Pollution prevention will be a further priority as, according to Escobar, it not only reduces costs but also leads to decreased use of raw materials, water and energy, and lower emissions, waste and, therefore, improves working conditions for employees. The local environment will also benefit. The scheme has secured the voluntary participation of the country's biggest tanneries. Among those signed up are: Curtarsa (Curtiembre Argentina SA), CIDEC (Compañía Industrial Del Cuero), Sadesa, Antonio Esposito, Curtiembre Becas, Industrias Magromer Cueros Y Pieles and Curtiembre Arlei. The programme consists of three branches: identifying opportunities for improvement; implementation of these and follow-up; and final evaluation of the results. The programmes for tanneries are in the initial stage, which implies that there is still a possibility for voluntary signing up of interested parties who are committed to sustainable development. Source: Cueroamerica.com