The pace of activity towards the beginning of February was relatively slow. Producers of heavy Texas, branded, butt and Colorado steers reported a wide disparity of prices, much depending on shipping requirements, the day of the transaction and the producer. By the following week, the market had started to firm and many packers were surprised by the strength and resultant sharp advances that occurred in most selections.

The pace of activity towards the beginning of February was relatively slow. Producers of heavy Texas, branded, butt and Colorado steers reported a wide disparity of prices, much depending on shipping requirements, the day of the transaction and the producer. By the following week, the market had started to firm and many packers were surprised by the strength and resultant sharp advances that occurred in most selections.

The years 1954-1955 represented a milestone in collagen structure. Ramachandran^1-3 derived the concept of the correct type of triple-helical structure for collagen by applying the newly developed fibre diffraction theory⁴ to improved collagen fibre diffraction patterns with stereochemical considerations. It was Cohen and Bear⁵ who first recognised that the fibre diffraction pattern indicated collagen had a helical structure, but the elucidation of the correct structure required the additional insight that the unusually high Glycine (Gly) and imino acid contents of collagen must have a structural basis1. The original proposal of three closely packed staggered helical chains, each with three residues per turn, was modified by a supercoiled twist to fit well-orientated diffraction patterns^1-3. Independently, in 1955, two other groups proposed related triple-helical structures. Model building based on the structure of polyglycine II led Rich and Crick^6,7 to a collagen triple-helical conformation built with more stringent stereochemical criteria. At King's College, the recording and analysis of highly orientated collagen X-ray patterns, together with the elucidation of the polyproline II structure, led to the proposal of a similar supercoiled structure⁸. These exciting years have been reviewed in depth^9,10, and a recent perspective has been published^11-13.

The years 1954-1955 represented a milestone in collagen structure. Ramachandran^1-3 derived the concept of the correct type of triple-helical structure for collagen by applying the newly developed fibre diffraction theory⁴ to improved collagen fibre diffraction patterns with stereochemical considerations. It was Cohen and Bear⁵ who first recognised that the fibre diffraction pattern indicated collagen had a helical structure, but the elucidation of the correct structure required the additional insight that the unusually high Glycine (Gly) and imino acid contents of collagen must have a structural basis1. The original proposal of three closely packed staggered helical chains, each with three residues per turn, was modified by a supercoiled twist to fit well-orientated diffraction patterns^1-3. Independently, in 1955, two other groups proposed related triple-helical structures. Model building based on the structure of polyglycine II led Rich and Crick^6,7 to a collagen triple-helical conformation built with more stringent stereochemical criteria. At King's College, the recording and analysis of highly orientated collagen X-ray patterns, together with the elucidation of the polyproline II structure, led to the proposal of a similar supercoiled structure⁸. These exciting years have been reviewed in depth^9,10, and a recent perspective has been published^11-13.

The expected increase in kills did not materialise during February. Consequently, lower numbers kept prices firm throughout the month, although at the end of February, there was some easing of prices as resistance to the higher prices finally began to bite.

Located in the cool and temperate climate of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria, VHSP (Victorian Hide & Skin Producers Pty Ltd) produce wet-blue (split or unsplit) and salted cattle hides, and wet-blue or drum salted calfskins for leather manufacturers worldwide.

At Tanning Tech Strojosvit primarily introduced the ST232-Mollisa staking machine with a new system of feeding and control. It has a working width of 3,200mm.

The colours of fashion often reflect our natural surroundings and these form the basis for the fashion forecast for spring/summer 2003, complemented by the strong colours in plastics and the cool colours of Cuban culture. Blues and greens echo the sky, leaves and grass, while deeper colours of red and blue and paler pastels are reminders of flowers.

ATC have developed a range of chemicals for the production of metal free leathers.

Cleveland Química do Brasil SA, Greater Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, have always been aware of environmental matters and since their foundation in 1977, have been relentlessly seeking solutions by developing their own technology.

The expected increase in kills did not materialise during February. Consequently, lower numbers kept prices firm throughout the month, although at the end of February, there was some easing of prices as resistance to the higher prices finally began to bite.

Located in the cool and temperate climate of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria, VHSP (Victorian Hide & Skin Producers Pty Ltd) produce wet-blue (split or unsplit) and salted cattle hides, and wet-blue or drum salted calfskins for leather manufacturers worldwide.

At Tanning Tech Strojosvit primarily introduced the ST232-Mollisa staking machine with a new system of feeding and control. It has a working width of 3,200mm.

The colours of fashion often reflect our natural surroundings and these form the basis for the fashion forecast for spring/summer 2003, complemented by the strong colours in plastics and the cool colours of Cuban culture. Blues and greens echo the sky, leaves and grass, while deeper colours of red and blue and paler pastels are reminders of flowers.

ATC have developed a range of chemicals for the production of metal free leathers.

Cleveland Química do Brasil SA, Greater Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, have always been aware of environmental matters and since their foundation in 1977, have been relentlessly seeking solutions by developing their own technology.

ALPA SpA, the Italian leather chemical manufacturers, have extended their range of polyurethane based finishing compounds.

Sadesa leather products will star in the World Cup 2002 teams' footwear. The company say: 'Just as Latin American players dominate World Cup soccer so, too, does Argentina-based Sadesa, a global leather manufacturer, lead the supply of the soccer footwear market.

The problem

The Chiampo area and the upper Agno valley in Italy are internationally known as centres for leading manufacturers of tannery equipment. Ge.ma.ta SpA are one of these. With a turnover of L29 billion (US$13 million), the Trissino company, founded in 1971, have become a world leader in the production of equipment for roller finishing of leather, imitation leather and synthetic materials.

Italprogetti have teamed up with their partners Genesis Ecotec to develop a new chemical dosing system to their milling drum. Italprogetti's milling drum has been available for a number of years but the updated system allows multiple chemical applications to the leather during dry drumming.

With an impressive appearance at the APLF in Hong Kong, one of the most important trade shows for leather and skins in Asia, Boehme are underlining their determination to expand in Asia in general and in China in particular.

Zschimmer & Schwarz have extended their range of auxiliaries for leather production. Besides the traditional fatliquor developments, new items for retannage and basification have been created as follows:

Stahl are presenting their finishes at this year's Asia Pacific Leather Fair in colours aimed at the fashion forecast for spring/summer 2003. They will be supported by an interesting selection of new finishing products that have been developed with Asian markets in mind.

Dr Leather Ltd is a new company (February 1, 2002) and their toolkit package will be launched on May 1. The company is in various stages of negotiations with twenty leading chemicals suppliers, giving them a database of 2,000 products which are currently in use, plus 190 non-proprietary products, ie sodium sulfide and lime, and ranges of dyestuffs which are listed by product name rather than CI number.

In a recent report, the Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) expressed concern about the deficit and SR630 billion (around $200 billion) domestic debt. Unemployment is a big problem in Saudi Arabia, ranging between 15-20%, but the Saudis do not like to take up lesser paid professions. No Saudi has joined the leather industry except through proprietorship. Mostly the technicians are from Türkiye and India.

PKL have been a leading force in the kid leather market since the company were founded back in 1965. Their reputation as a high quality and consistent supplier of goatskin upper leather has never been in doubt. Now the Indian tanner and footwear manufacturers want to take on the best in the world at making high-end calf leather uppers.

The Indian leather industry occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in view of its substantial export earnings, employment generation and growth.

At the XXV IULTCS Science in Leather Congress in 1999, a commercially available polysiloxane was assessed for imparting hydrophobic qualities to leather. The effects of vacuum drying time and quebracho vegetable tannin extract content, used in the retanning process, on the resistance to water penetration and on water vapour permeability were examined. In addition, the effect of capping with chromium or zirconium on the number of Maeser flexes to water penetration is described.

Tärnsjö are one of the few pure vegetable tanners left in Europe. The company produce both upholstery and equestrian leather but also specialise in the manufacture of harnesses and other finished products.

One of the problems the leather industry faces is that it suffers from an image problem. The perception is that the industry remains in the past, with antiquated machinery, nasty, polluting chemicals and long processing times - definitely not something in tune with the 21st century. Indeed many tanning groups didn't make it to the 21st century (see Table 1).

ALPA SpA, the Italian leather chemical manufacturers, have extended their range of polyurethane based finishing compounds.

Sadesa leather products will star in the World Cup 2002 teams' footwear. The company say: 'Just as Latin American players dominate World Cup soccer so, too, does Argentina-based Sadesa, a global leather manufacturer, lead the supply of the soccer footwear market.

The problem

One of the key advantages leather has over other materials is that it possesses great strength without losing its flexibility and porosity - few man made products can rival it!

The Chiampo area and the upper Agno valley in Italy are internationally known as centres for leading manufacturers of tannery equipment. Ge.ma.ta SpA are one of these. With a turnover of L29 billion (US$13 million), the Trissino company, founded in 1971, have become a world leader in the production of equipment for roller finishing of leather, imitation leather and synthetic materials.

Italprogetti have teamed up with their partners Genesis Ecotec to develop a new chemical dosing system to their milling drum. Italprogetti's milling drum has been available for a number of years but the updated system allows multiple chemical applications to the leather during dry drumming.

With an impressive appearance at the APLF in Hong Kong, one of the most important trade shows for leather and skins in Asia, Boehme are underlining their determination to expand in Asia in general and in China in particular.

Zschimmer & Schwarz have extended their range of auxiliaries for leather production. Besides the traditional fatliquor developments, new items for retannage and basification have been created as follows:

Stahl are presenting their finishes at this year's Asia Pacific Leather Fair in colours aimed at the fashion forecast for spring/summer 2003. They will be supported by an interesting selection of new finishing products that have been developed with Asian markets in mind.

Dr Leather Ltd is a new company (February 1, 2002) and their toolkit package will be launched on May 1. The company is in various stages of negotiations with twenty leading chemicals suppliers, giving them a database of 2,000 products which are currently in use, plus 190 non-proprietary products, ie sodium sulfide and lime, and ranges of dyestuffs which are listed by product name rather than CI number.

In a recent report, the Saudi American Bank (SAMBA) expressed concern about the deficit and SR630 billion (around $200 billion) domestic debt. Unemployment is a big problem in Saudi Arabia, ranging between 15-20%, but the Saudis do not like to take up lesser paid professions. No Saudi has joined the leather industry except through proprietorship. Mostly the technicians are from Türkiye and India.

PKL have been a leading force in the kid leather market since the company were founded back in 1965. Their reputation as a high quality and consistent supplier of goatskin upper leather has never been in doubt. Now the Indian tanner and footwear manufacturers want to take on the best in the world at making high-end calf leather uppers.

The Indian leather industry occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in view of its substantial export earnings, employment generation and growth.

At the XXV IULTCS Science in Leather Congress in 1999, a commercially available polysiloxane was assessed for imparting hydrophobic qualities to leather. The effects of vacuum drying time and quebracho vegetable tannin extract content, used in the retanning process, on the resistance to water penetration and on water vapour permeability were examined. In addition, the effect of capping with chromium or zirconium on the number of Maeser flexes to water penetration is described.

Tärnsjö are one of the few pure vegetable tanners left in Europe. The company produce both upholstery and equestrian leather but also specialise in the manufacture of harnesses and other finished products.

One of the problems the leather industry faces is that it suffers from an image problem. The perception is that the industry remains in the past, with antiquated machinery, nasty, polluting chemicals and long processing times - definitely not something in tune with the 21st century. Indeed many tanning groups didn't make it to the 21st century (see Table 1).

Uzbekostam

There are three sources of supply of crocodilian skins: wild-harvested, captive-bred and ranched. The most common crocodilian skin type is caiman. Caiman are placed in their own category, separate from other crocodilian species and they compose half of all the crocodilian trade. In 1999, 791,824 of the 1,182,469 crocodilian skins were caiman.

The last email I received before heading to Canada was a warning to wrap-up warmly. The first night in Ontario saw the temperature dip to a chilling -16°C plus a wind chill of a further -10°C. According to the locals this winter has been mild by the usual Canadian standards and temperature can go far lower.

That is the keyword which business rotates around. If your business' name comes up at the right moment at the right place, you are likely to be contacted by another business who wants to deal with you. Wrong place and wrong moment, you're out!

The debt of Argentine buyers to the Brazilian footwear industry is estimated at around US$30 million, a value estimated on data provided by Abicalçados on Brazilian exports to Argentina which, according to market sources, practically suspended its purchases and its payments in October 2001.

Business appears to be moving in the right direction for Mexican tanners. The decline of the US economy has had a serious impact on the Mexican leather and footwear industry over the past 18 months. However, the mood seems to be more optimistic since the turn of the year. Mexican tanners expect steady rather than spectacular growth.

Troubled shoe makers and retailers, Florsheim Group Inc, have applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after four years of losses and have agreed to sell their domestic wholesale business, related assets and certain retail stores to Weyco Group Inc.

Bayer are building a new multifunctional technical service centre and warehouse close to the tanning cluster in León, Mexico. The new 10,000 sq m site will include a 1,500 sq m office, laboratory and warehouse complex and is due to be completed at the end of May. Bayer have invested over US$1 million in the plant and the leather division will share the facility with Bayer's pu division.

Around 22 colours from India have been selected by Modeurop, the international colour forecasting authority for the footwear and leather garment industry, according to Dr T Ramasami, director of the Central Leather Research Institute.

Slovakia's Statistical Office has reported that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in 2001 was 14.1% higher than in the previous year. Production in December 2001 was 0.2% higher year-on-year. In comparison, industrial output as a whole in 2001 was 4.6% higher compared with year 2000.

Mexican leather chemical manufacturers Quimica Central de Mexico have achieved ISO 9002 certification for quality management systems. The company were awarded the standard at the end of last year and were certified by SGS.

HTL International Holdings Limited, Singapore, one of Asia's largest leather tanners and sofa manufacturers, plan to invest S$24.2 million (US$13.23 million) in China.

BASF have announced that they will discontinue textile and leather chemicals manufacturing at their Charlotte, Chesapeake Drive site at the end of 2002. The technical service center, marketing and customer service group will continue to operate from the Charlotte site.

Rohm and Haas Company have announced they are to invest approximately US$20 million to build a manufacturing facility in Mumbai that will manufacture both emulsion polymers and adhesives.

Uzbekostam

There are three sources of supply of crocodilian skins: wild-harvested, captive-bred and ranched. The most common crocodilian skin type is caiman. Caiman are placed in their own category, separate from other crocodilian species and they compose half of all the crocodilian trade. In 1999, 791,824 of the 1,182,469 crocodilian skins were caiman.

The last email I received before heading to Canada was a warning to wrap-up warmly. The first night in Ontario saw the temperature dip to a chilling -16°C plus a wind chill of a further -10°C. According to the locals this winter has been mild by the usual Canadian standards and temperature can go far lower.

That is the keyword which business rotates around. If your business' name comes up at the right moment at the right place, you are likely to be contacted by another business who wants to deal with you. Wrong place and wrong moment, you're out!

The debt of Argentine buyers to the Brazilian footwear industry is estimated at around US$30 million, a value estimated on data provided by Abicalçados on Brazilian exports to Argentina which, according to market sources, practically suspended its purchases and its payments in October 2001.

Business appears to be moving in the right direction for Mexican tanners. The decline of the US economy has had a serious impact on the Mexican leather and footwear industry over the past 18 months. However, the mood seems to be more optimistic since the turn of the year. Mexican tanners expect steady rather than spectacular growth.

Troubled shoe makers and retailers, Florsheim Group Inc, have applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after four years of losses and have agreed to sell their domestic wholesale business, related assets and certain retail stores to Weyco Group Inc.

Bayer are building a new multifunctional technical service centre and warehouse close to the tanning cluster in León, Mexico. The new 10,000 sq m site will include a 1,500 sq m office, laboratory and warehouse complex and is due to be completed at the end of May. Bayer have invested over US$1 million in the plant and the leather division will share the facility with Bayer's pu division.

Around 22 colours from India have been selected by Modeurop, the international colour forecasting authority for the footwear and leather garment industry, according to Dr T Ramasami, director of the Central Leather Research Institute.

Slovakia's Statistical Office has reported that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in 2001 was 14.1% higher than in the previous year. Production in December 2001 was 0.2% higher year-on-year. In comparison, industrial output as a whole in 2001 was 4.6% higher compared with year 2000.

Mexican leather chemical manufacturers Quimica Central de Mexico have achieved ISO 9002 certification for quality management systems. The company were awarded the standard at the end of last year and were certified by SGS.

HTL International Holdings Limited, Singapore, one of Asia's largest leather tanners and sofa manufacturers, plan to invest S$24.2 million (US$13.23 million) in China.

BASF have announced that they will discontinue textile and leather chemicals manufacturing at their Charlotte, Chesapeake Drive site at the end of 2002. The technical service center, marketing and customer service group will continue to operate from the Charlotte site.

Rohm and Haas Company have announced they are to invest approximately US$20 million to build a manufacturing facility in Mumbai that will manufacture both emulsion polymers and adhesives.