Porvair International Ltd, producers of the Permair microporous leather finishing system, have appointed Colin Wade as sales director. Colin, who has been business manager of the Permair division since 1998, joined Porvair in 1996.

Ukraine leather production in 2004

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey's leather industry was operating at 61.6% of its total capacity in December 2004, compared with 64.4% in the same month in 2003. The main reasons given by Turkish leather industry companies as to why they were not operating at full capacity were low demand on domestic markets, followed by low demand on foreign markets. In comparison, manufacturing sector companies in Turkey were operating at an average of 84% of their total capacity in December 2004, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%.

Poland's Central Statistics Office reports that Poland imported raw hides and skins worth US$18.8 million in the first half of 2004. The highest imports worth US$2.56 million came from the UK, followed by imports worth US$2.28 million from Germany and US$1.82 million from Australia.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$72.6 million in 2004, an increase of 2.4% compared with the previous year.

Latvia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Latvia exported raw hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$1.98 million in November 2004. Exports to EU member states accounted for 69.4% of this overall figure. Latvia also imported the same types of commodities worth US$2.22 million in November 2004, with imports from the EU members states accounting for 78% of overall imports.

Iran's Ministry of Industry reports that Iranian leather exports fell in the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 21 - December 20, 2004) compared with the same period in 2003, according to the IRNA news agency. No statistics were disclosed.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Hungary in the first eleven months of 2004 was 17.2% than in the same period in 2003. Total sales recorded by Hungarian leather industry companies in the January to November 2004 period were 17.1% lower year-on-year, including a fall in sales of 17.5% on the domestic market and 16.9% lower sales on export markets.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that the number of cattle on farms in Hungary as of December 1, 2004, was 723,000 head, compared with 742,000 head on April 1 and 739,000 head on December 1, 2003.

The Czech Footwear Association reports that footwear production in the Czech Republic totalled only five million pairs in 2004 because of competition from imported Chinese-made footwear, according to the CTK news agency's Business News. China exported nearly 32 million pairs of footwear at an average price of just Kc50 (US$2.14) a pair to the Czech Republic in 2004. In comparison, in 2000, Czech footwear production totalled 13 million pairs, with footwear imports from China totalling 18.6 million pairs.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the average monthly wage in the Czech leather industry in the third quarter of 2004 was Kc10,700 (US$459), an increase of 10% compared with the same quarter in 2003. The average monthly wage in the Czech Republic in the third quarter of 2004 was Kc18,000 (US$772).

Croatia's National Statistics Bureau reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in 2004 was 1.9% lower than in 2003. In comparison, overall industrial output in Croatia in 2004 was 3.7% higher year-on-year.

Clariant's Leather Business have produced their latest forecast for the spring/summer 2006 season in association with the leading institution for trends in leather - Modeurop. The shade card illustrates 30 exciting colours on leather and provide customers with formulations for wet end and finishing.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Federal Office of Statistics reports that the production of leather and leather products in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004 was 1.7% lower than in 2003. In comparison, the annual increase in overall industrial output in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2004 was 13.2%.

Vietnamese exports of leather shoes to the United States have increased dramatically since the US granted most favoured nation (MFN) status to Vietnam towards the end of last year, according to the Vietnamese News Agency.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that the number of cattle on farms in Ukraine as of the start of this year was 7.16 million head, as compared with 7.89 million head at the start of 2004.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that the production of leather and leather products in Turkey in the first eleven months of 2004 was 9.4% higher than in the same period in 2003. In comparison, manufacturing industry production in Turkey in the January to November 2004 period was 11.1% higher year-on-year.

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Slovak Republic in the first eleven months of 2004 was 6.8% lower than in the same period the previous year. In comparison, overall industrial output in Slovakia during the same period was 4.3% higher year-on-year.

The Slovak Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$106 million in the first ten months of 2004, a year-on-year fall of 16.6%. Slovakia's imports of the same types of commodities were 0.1% lower year-on-year at US$238 million.

Statistics New Zealand reports that a total of 163,616 head of cattle were slaughtered for export in New Zealand in November 2004. This figure compares with 230,054 head slaughtered in October and 189,999 head slaughtered in November 2003.

Statistics Lithuania reports that Lithuania exported livestock and livestock products worth US$380 million in the first eleven months of 2004, a year-on-year increase of 42.3%.

The authorities in the Lao capital of Vientiane have set the city's residents the target of raising 65,440 cows in the 2004-2005 agricultural year, according to the KPL news agency. In the 2003-2004 agricultural year, the target was 59,495 cows. The authorities in Vientiane are seeking to increase beef supplies to local markets.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ireland in November was 56.3% lower than in the same month in 2003. In comparison, the annual fall in industrial output in Ireland in November was 10.4% lower year-on-year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary exported leather and leather products worth USS82.7 million in the first ten months of 2004, a year-on-year fall of 8.7%. Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities were 9.2% higher year-on-year at US$306 million.

The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first eleven months of 2004 was 4.8% lower than in the same period the previous year. In comparison, the annual increase in overall industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to November 2004 period was 10%.

Training grants are now available to UK tanners and leather manufacturers courtesy of the trustees of the British Leather Industry Development Trust. The Trust was originally established in the early 1980s with the objective of 'advancing the theoretical and practical education and training of persons engaged in or to be engaged in the UK leather industry.'

Applications for travel grants are invited by the trustees of the Dr Dorothy Jordan Lloyd Memorial Trust. The Trust was set up with a basis of donations from industry in memory of the former research director of BLMRA. The objectives of the trust are to encourage and support young people (under 40) working in the industry, or engaged in relevant research, to travel and to study leather science and technology in countries other than their own. The limited funds available are not intended to support students following full or part time courses, but more to encourage shorter, focused visits.

Four fashion themes will be presented in the next edition of Le Cuir A Paris to be held from March 9-10, 2005, at Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles.

The partnership between IFM (Institut Français de la Mode) and French Glove Makers, initiated in 2003 by the French Glove Makers Federation and Bureau de Style Chaussure Maroquinerie Cuir, has been renewed as part of the IFM's Design Course for 2005 which includes a footwear unit and a glove unit in the Accessories section. IFM designers will work on tangible projects in partnership with professional glove makers. The gloves they produce will be displayed at the IFM's end-of-year event which will present all the work of the Design Course in March 2006.

A series of twenty lectures on fashion are currently being held until April 22, 2005 at the Carrousel du Louvre. 'A Paris, la Mode et les Métiers' will include, for the leather industry: January 21, 2005: 'From the cobbler to the sneaker manufacturer', by Florence Muller, a fashion historian; January 28, 2005: 'The Art of Glove Making', by François Leyge, a heritage curator, Millau Museum. This is an initiative of the Paris Educational Programme and is being held at the Amphitheatre Rohan, 99 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1er.

Work has begun on the Summer 2006 season and Bureau de Style will be producing four trend tools for this season. These tools are relevant to all players in the leather industry; manufacturers, designers and buyers. They are released early in the season and are extremely useful tools for firms starting work on their new collections. The trend books combine observation of coming trends with the Bureau's expertise in the leather sector. They reflect the mood of the times and the fashion trends for the season, supply a reliable frame of reference and give suggestions for further development that fi rms can interpret to suit their particular segments, identity and tastes.

Bureau de Style Chaussure Maroquinerie Cuir has been asked by Midec to design and follow up Imagine, a fashion section at the fair that focuses on young designers and new footwear ideas. Emmanuelle Kerdaffrec, a footwear and leathergoods designer, who is involved in training at the Institut Colbert and is in close touch with young designers, is taking over from Suzanne Marest.

The XII World Ostrich Congress is scheduled to take place in El Escorial, Madrid, from October 14-16, 2005. The event combines three in one. There is a the 3rd Scientific Symposium on Ratites (14-16) in which scientists will be speaking about their latest research. There is also a commercial track XII World Ostrich Congress (15-16) for farmers and anybody interested in ratite production - with 8 candidate authors to be selected by the organizing committee - and finally there is EXPOSTRICH (14-16), an exhibition area of ostrich and related industries.

Just as the colours in nature range from cool to vibrant, just as atmosphere can reflect peace or energy, so too are the colours in the Stahl Colour Forecast for spring and summer 2006 derived from the feelings of nature and atmosphere.

Agreement has now been reached with the countries involved and there will now be three IULTCS area representatives covering North, Central and South Latin-America as follows: North Latin-America, Ricardo Weiss Washke who will be responsible for Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Cuba.

In partnership with the leather industry, BASF have succeeded in developing an innovative top coat system for automotive leathers with very high fastness properties, and an extreme matting. This top coat system is based on Astacin Novomatt GG and Lepton Protector products.

A visit by Taiwanese agent Go-In International to Heal's headquarters in the UK was a great success. Go-In have represented Heal's for over 20 years in the increasingly important Taiwanese market. 2004 saw the local agent surpass all previous sales targets and 2005 looks set to be a continuing success. Jet Kao of Go-In International spent two days at Heal's receiving training on Heal's Nu-Martindale Family, TruBurst Intelligent Bursting Strength Tester, Thermaplate Stability Tester and Apollo Xenon Arc Light and Weather Fastness Tester.

Glove manufacturers Burfield & Co of Somerset, UK, have launched a unique range of quality ladies' leather gloves, under the Cleo Vera brand, that contain the plant extract, aloe vera. This is activated with body vapour, providing a gentle moisturising effect to help keep hands soft.

One of the UK's leading brands, George Clothing has become one of the latest UK companies to join SATRA. George is now the number one volume retailer in the UK, selling within branches of leading supermarket chain ASDA and is further enhancing its brand awareness by the opening of stand-alone stores in the high street. The brand has also gone global through Wal-Mart stores in America, Canada, Germany, Mexico, Korea and Japan, and includes clothing for all ages and a range of footwear.

1,100 exhibitors took part in the 32nd edition of the International footwear, sportswear, and leather goods fair which ran from January 11-14 in Anhembi park, Sao Paolo, Brazil. The 2005 edition of Couromoda has grown by 20% on last year with exhibitors covering more than 50,000 sq m.

BASF recently helped train Unido employees in innovative textile and leather processing at a workshop in Casablanca (Morocco). The purpose of the event was to teach staff from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization: Efficiency for the company and for the environment - how to manufacture and finish textiles and leather articles both economically and ecologically.

Turkey's State Statistics Institute reports that Turkey exported raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$78 million in the first eleven months of 2004, a year-on-year increase of 6.4%. Imports of the same types of commodities were 4.4% lower year-on-year at US$534 million.

On December 10, 2004, more than 100 people representing a group of 50 tanneries joined in the technical seminar organised by Smit & Zoon in cooperation with their agent Behn Meyer Thailand. After the opening by the managing director of Behn Meyer, Mr Prasonk, a presentation was given by Egbert Dikkers about Smit & Zoon and the global trends as they can be seen today.

The exhibition year 2005 of the International Leather Goods Fairs Offenbach kicks off with I.L.M Essentials, the International Leather Goods Fair for novelties worldwide and innovative basics which takes place from January 29-31. Through the year three individual events will take place.

Executive director Austin Simmons has taken responsibility for all of Satra's footwear testing, fitting, testing and research activities. This is in addition to his current role of managing safety product testing and quality assurance programmes. Working closely with assistant director Peter Perkins and business

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that leather industry production in Macedonia in the first eleven months of 2004 was 40.3% lower than in the same period the previous year. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to November 2004 period was 15% lower year-on-year.

Ireland's Central Statistical Office reports that Ireland imported leather and leather products worth 9.1 million euros in the first nine months of 2004, as compared with 7.6 million euros in the same period the previous year. Irish exports of the same types of commodities in the January to September 2004 period were worth 22.6 million euros, against 35.0 million euros in the corresponding period in 2003.

Iran's Standards and Industrial Research Institute (ISIRI) is considering the introduction of checks on imported goods, including leather products, to determine whether these goods comply with Iranian standards, according to the IRNA news agency. An ISIRI official was reported as saying that import permits would be issued only after quality checks were undertaken on these goods. It is also possible that Iran will require imported goods to be checked in their country of origin in order to prevent sub-standard goods reaching the country.

The final preparations are underway for the inaugural edition of Fashion First, which opens at 09:30am on January 31 in Hall 1 at Brussels Expo Belgium. For the first time, manufacturers and suppliers of competitively priced, but at the same time fashionable and innovative footwear and related fashion accessories, will present their autumn/winter 2005-2006 collections to buyers, in the heart of Europe.

Officials from the Czech leather industry held talks concerning bilateral co-operation in the leather industry with their counterparts from Iraq's State Establishment for Leather Industries (SELI) in Baghdad in early January, according to the Interfax news agency. The talks covered the supply of Czech leathergoods, manufacturing machinery, materials and technologies to Iraqi leather industry companies. The prospects for Czech leather companies in Iraq are said to be good.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$124 million in the first eleven months of 2004, a substantial year-on-year increase of 215%. Croatian imports of the same types of commodities were 59.6% higher year-on-year at US$130 million.

Vietnamese officials reported in late December that they are having to deal with the increasing problem of cattle being smuggled into the Mekong Delta region from Cambodia, according to the Vietnamese News Agency. They estimate between 200 and 300 cows and buffaloes are illegally imported from Cambodia to Vietnam each day. Traders are able to purchase cattle in Cambodia at prices 20-40% lower than in Vietnam. One cattle trader in Long An province said that many Vietnamese cattle dealers are making big profits from livestock smuggling, as well as risking the spread of diseases to local herds.

Tyson Foods, parent company of IBP, temporarily closed their slaughter facilities at Denison Iowa and Boise Idaho on January 10. In addition, Tyson said that they will also temporarily halt their second shift at their slaughter plant in Pasco, Washington. They are also temporarily shutting processing plants in West Point and Norfolk Nebraska.

According to Hidenet.com, a Chinese firm have purchased a warehouse in Holland with the intention of dealing and exporting cattle hides. The company go by the name of European Hides Company or 'EUHICO'. They have purchased the former warehouse of Van Buren Hides of Leeuwarden in Friesland, which recently went bankrupt.

The 30th edition of ANPIC will be held from February 26th - March 1st, 2005 at Poliforum Fairground, in the city of Leon, Mexico. Raw materials and fashion components will be exhibited, alongside advanced technology for footwear and leather goods .

CPM-Collection Premiere Moscow will take place from March 1-4, 2005, the exhibition grounds of the Krasnaya Presnaya Expocentr in Moscow, Russia. The CPM is the leading international fashion trade fair in Russia and Eastern Europe.

The Taiwanese-owned sportswear company Pou YuenVietnam plan to build a factory in Dong Nai Province to make sports shoes for export. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is assessing Pou Yuen's project, which will be its second in Dong Nai and third in Vietnam. According to Dong Nai Industrial Zone Authority (DIZA), the company plan to rent land in Bau Xeo Industrial Park. They also want to build two more factories to make electronic components and clothing.

The 9th Int'l leather (shoe&leather) machinery and raw materials exhibition has proved itself to be a resounding success after the three-day show was witnessed by exhibitors and visitors both domestic and foreign. An exhibiting area of 2,200 sq m with over 1,000 booths accommodated more than 500 enterprises as exhibitors, including those from 18 provinces and cities of china and those from over 21 countries and regions, such as Italy, Mexico, US ,India, Pakistan and Canada etc.

For the first time Pakistan's Export Promotion Bureau will be sponsoring the participation of Pakistani tanners in 20th India International Leather Fair to be held from January 31 to February 3, 2005, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, India. There were around 250 exhibitors including 51 from overseas at the 2004 edition of the fair and about 10,000 business visitors attended the fair out of which 1,500 were from overseas.

Leather International's correspondent in Turkey, Suzanne Swan, lived in England from 1966 until 1985 and was enthralled with Britain's European integration process. Nobody discussed Britain's 'readiness' in the run-up to European Economic Community (as it was back then) membership. There was vigorous discourse on advantages (access to French wines and cheeses) and disadvantages (loss of Britishness or free-range pork sausages).

US sports apparel giant Nike have lost a copyright suit over the illegal advertising use of a Chinese cartoon character only weeks after the famous shoe maker had their ads pulled from Chinese television for upsetting local traditions. The Beijing Intermediate Court ordered Nike to pay 300,000 yuan ($36,000) to cartoonist Zhu Zhiqiang for using his 'Little Match Man' in their 'Stickman' advertising campaign, a court official said.

The sixth edition of the Madrid Lives Fashion programme will shortly commence with a cycle of fairs which continue through the months of February and March, coinciding with the staging of SIMM-Madrid International Fashion Week (February 13-16), Pasarela Cibeles (February 13-16); Pasarela Cibeles (February 14-17); and Textilmoda (February 22-24). The sixth edition of Madrid Lives Fashion will close with the staging of SIPIEL, the International Footwear and Leather Goods Week at the beginning of April (April 1-3). Madrid Lives Fashion is launched by IFEMA and is supported by the business organisations representing those sectors devoted to the fashion industry.

In September 2005, from Tuesday 20 to Friday 23, Le Cuir A Paris will move to the exhibition park of Paris Nord Villepinte on the same dates as other fairs grouped together under the label 'Paris Pole Mode' (Premier Vision, Expofil, Mod'Amont and Indigo). By welcoming Le Cuir A Paris, Paris Pole Mode brings together a unique and complementary offer of leathers-fabrics-yarns-accessories-threads-designs aimed at the fashion sector as a whole as well as the home/ design sectors.

Stahl Brasil SA were recommended for ISO 14001 certification in November following rigorous examination of their environmental performance criteria. They join other Stahl companies in demonstrating the desire and ability to take a high level of control over the way in which the company operate in relation to management of environmental matters. The recommendation shows that Stahl Brasil have implemented an effective environmental management system and that the company will be able to maintain procedures to ensure high standards in the future. Procedures have been put in place that will allow the company to demonstrate their conformance with both national and international environmental legislation.

Henan Prosper Skins & Leather Enterprise Co Ltd are tanners and manufacturers of quality lambskins and one of the largest wool-on tanneries in the world. In our November edition we pictured a small part of their range on the PPS Europe stand at Lineapelle and mistakenly stated that Henan Prosper take their wet-blue from the Belgium tannery and apologise for any confusion caused.

The Ho Chi Minh City government has pledged technical support for a local company to proceed with their project to build the city's first crocodile skin tannery. The city government will invest in the manufacturing of machines used for crocodile tanning and then transfer the machines to Ton Phat Crocodile Co, said Nguyen Thien Nhan, vice chairman of the HCMC People's Committee, at a meeting with Ton Phat Co in December.

Leading Pakistani speciality chemical manufacturers Shafi Reso-Chem recently organised a Technical Discussion on Fashion Forecast 2005-2006 at local hotels in Karachi and Lahore for their premier customers. The main purpose was to promote awareness of the latest and upcoming fashion trends in the global leather industry to local leather manufacturers on an individual basis. Continuous technical education for their valued customers is the main focus of Reso core values and has been included in their objectives since the beginning.

Al Sarayri & Salha Int Co are preparing for the fifth edition of DLFA 5, the International Fair of Shoes & Leather Products and DLTA 5, the International Fair of Shoes & leather Industries Materials & Technology which will be held at Damascus New Fair Grounds from March 10-13, 2005.

During their general assembly in December, members of the Conseil National du Cuir (the French National Council of Leather) ratified the admission of the Fédération Française de la Chaussure (French Shoe Federation) to the Confederation. The Conseil National du Cuir groups together twenty federations and national unions from the French leather sector, representatives of the production, transformation, manufacturing and distribution of leather and leather products.

French athletic footwear maker Chaussures Noel have acquired children's shoe maker Bidegain for an unspecified amount. The transaction will allow Chaussures Noel to make an entry into the children's shoe market. Bidegain's brands include Babybotte shoes for children up to three years-old, TTY for children between 3-10 years of age and Le Loup Bland for corrective shoes.

The first Cairo International Leather Show, held in the Egyptian capital from December 9-12, 2004, saw the participation of 118 companies, of which forty or so Italian ones took part in the 'collective' organised by ICE and Assomac.

Two professional fairs will go hand in hand to bring out the best in each other, in China in the Wenzhou international convention and exhibition center from September 13-15, 2005.

CM Tannery Machines previewed their new RAL/ PN combined sammying and setting machine which features innovative positioning of the rollers to ensure uniform pressure from the working roller across the whole leather surface. This occurs even when the drying pressure between the felt covered roller and transport rubber roller changes.

Poletto have completely restyled their Millenium PT 12.5 Auto milling drum. Designed specifically to soften and condition hides and skins, Millenium PT12.5 features a new security barrier in the form of a sliding door with a simplified control panel. It is now easier and more practical to load and unload the drum. The new heating system offers improved efficiency.

Italian machinery manufacturers Bergi have revised models of three machines which were on display at Tanning Tech. For embossing, the Kombipress NE has a reduced number of features in comparison to the Kombipress KR model, making it competitively priced and, therefore, more suitable for developing markets. The Kombipress NE is built in Italy to Bergi's high engineering specifications, offering greater flexibility in production and simplified ironing and embossing operations.

The control of pH in the form of the Deltatrode 120, which was being shown in Tanning Tech, is a joint venture between Olcina and Swystem Logic and is the first step in precision process control. By eliminating the conventional metal ions in the reference half-cell, pH can be measured without fear of electrode poisoning by sulfides, chrome-complexes, vegetable tans and syntans.

Italian machinery manufacturers Gozzini 1906 unveiled their new continuous ironing and embossing press at Tanning Tech. The benefits of this user-friendly machine include low operating costs. It offers automatic exchange of the operating cylinder in 30 seconds thanks to the star-shaped device rotating around a central shaft, on which the cylinders are installed.

Responding to customer needs, Hüni are continually updating their software to allow their clients to continuously check production and quality throughout the tannery. This is now a market requirement and allows the standardisation which underpins quality control standards.

Italian tannery machinery specialists Escomar's reblading machine was one of the longest running examples of tannery machinery still in use in the industry. For the first time in 30 years, the machine has been updated. The 'Mega' automatic reblading machine has been designed and constructed to reblade, pre-grind and balance cylinders for shaving and fleshing machines. This strong and reliable machine offers a high level of precision and is suitable for reblading any kind of cylinder.

Letex Leather Chemicals exhibited at Tanning Tech for the first time this year under their new identity. The new company were formed from Neochimica Italia and Chimes.

American Chemical icsa, Uruguay, launched their new nonylphenol free degreasing agent, Imbirex L, as part of their new generation of nonylphenol free products. Imbirex L is a fat emulsifier for all kinds of skins during wet processing. Because of its excellent emulsification properties the extracted fat is removed completely from the system, without deposition onto the leather or the drum surface.

Olcina were showing their new Cangilones Soft Mill milling drum at Tanning Tech, featuring the well established wide shelf which allows hides to slide in the drum rather than experience a sharp fall which could damage them. The Cangilones system, adapted to the dry milling and conditioning process, translates into a greater saving of energy and a higher load. This gives excellent results at a lower cost.

Three new products were released by Fenice in time for Tanning Tech: Mender XP is a new generation stucco, easy to use with excellent results; Kebinder SL is a topping compound for the production of pigmented upholstery; and Resisto 53 is a water based polyurethane with superb physical-mechanical characteristics, even better than those of the well known Resisto 52. In addition, Fenice are recommending Kebinder Super + Aquagrade 34 as an inseparable partnership for truly ecological new finishing. There are no solvents or crosslinkers and the combination offers maximum performance.

Lanxess presented their speciality products for the manufacture of high-quality leathers under the motto 'Energizing Chemistry for Leather'. Dr Bernhard Wehling, head of the leather business unit, stressed: 'Over the past few years, cooperation with our partners in the market in the field of research, production and marketing has already played an important role in enabling us to offer our customers attractive services.' As an example, he cited the partnership with Rohm and Haas Corp of Philadelphia, USA, whereby Rohm and Haas are responsible for the research, development and production of a number of speciality chemicals, which are then marketed by Lanxess. Lanxess also have a sales cooperation agreement with Atlas Refinery Inc, Newark, New Jersey, USA, manufacturers of fatliquoring agents, an arrangement that has already proved successful in several countries.

In line with their policy of creating new effects for every fair they attend, Italian chemical producers Syn-Bios presented two new additions to their trend lines at Tanning Tech. Syn-trend Animal is a brand new effect which gives the appearance of cells under a microscope. The effect can be obtained exclusively through use of Syn-Bios products, without the need for printing or foils.

German chemical producers Dr Boehme have launched new emulsifying agents for fatliquoring high-grade automotive leather. The Cutapol System, comprising sys-A (anionic) and sys-C (cationic) gives extraordinary fastness values, particularly light fastness. The product is suitable for the production of light colours and pastel shades. It can also be used for dark colours as it does not have strong bleaching effects.

To minimise the shortage of raw skins, the Pakistan government is working on a law to curb the smuggling of livestock to Afghanistan. This unauthorised transportation of cattle via the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has caused shortages in the local market. The prices of raw skins imported from Afghanistan through illegal routes are high. Though the provincial government and Fata administration have taken several steps, the illegal exports are still going on due to the lucrative profits being made. A move to put in place livestock-specific anti-smuggling legislation has become necessary to deal with the problem effectively.

Sheep and lambskin prices have fallen sharply and the current forecast is that prices will remain at the same level until February/March, according to the latest Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) report, which added that shorter wool length and heavy weight lambskins were holding firm but all other grades easing. MLA stated that this fall was due to weaker demand in Türkiye and Russia which are sourcing cheaper alternatives, and the on-going rise in value of the Australian dollar.

Figures at the end of November showed that over all hide prices barely changed during the last two weeks but that upholstery hide prices came down (totally in accordance with the latest somewhat disappointing developments in that sector). The enthusiasm for goatskins seen during the past couple of weeks faded. Sheep and lambskin prices did not really change while the doubleface woolskin business remains a disaster (with maybe a few exceptions for the very best qualities). Nobody seems to believe in any more significant changes for anything between now and the year end.

The extremely narrow range of hide prices seen since summer continued into November with major selections trading at the same level month after month. This is regardless of reduced soaks and the slower season taking place in Asia.

Turner were showing two new machines, one based on existing technology and another which was entirely new with the patent only recently registered. The first machine, the Descarnar 2 is a fleshing machine which provides flatter skins and therefore better fleshing. There are two grip rollers to ensure a good tension and throughout the skins are tensed against a grooved ebonite roller; the principle being that the smoother the skin, the better the fleshing.

At Bologna, Equitan were demonstrating Inkprint, their new inkjet printing device which can be used to print information on the leather as required. It can be attached to a stacker or other piece of equipment and programmed to mark the leather with whatever details are felt necessary: area measurement for example. By printing onto the leather there is a permanent record of choice: bar code, batch number etc. The company also have a device for identifying lime or wet-blue by stamping letters and numbers on to them.

Erretre have launched their latest innovation in chemical milling technology. The new milling drum is called Inox Plus.

Italian leather machinery specialists Selin Projects have launched their new Rollmir-T device. The new model is able to area measure both the top and bottom of skins simultaneously. Only a single operator is required. Results are displayed on a computer screen attached to Rollmir T. Machine settings and calibration can all be set using the onboard computer. Small hides and skins can be measured in metres², decimetres², cm² and ft² units.

According to Smit & Zoon, when developing waterproof articles everyone faces the same problem: where to start? It helps if you take into account the fact that waterproof leathers are made the same way as other leathers via neutralising, retanning and fatliquoring. Then there are the well-known differences such as longer running time, frequent washing cycles and metal-capping.

Two new foams announced recently by Stahl International provide the leather industry with an opportunity for first-rate upgrading of low quality leathers and can even be used with white finishes.

A new exhibitor at Tanning Tech, SIC International SpA describe themselves as a young company, set-up only two years ago but founded on a brand which has been around for forty years. They manufacturer chemical products for the tannery sector and are located in Buscate, Italy, where they have production plants, warehouses, modern research and application laboratories, administrative and sales offices.