Irish imports of the same types of commodities in the January to March period were worth 700,000 euros, as against 1.1 million euros in the corresponding period in 2006.

Exhibitor's stands are to be presented in a true-to-original style as Arabian merchants' palaces or 'Riads' with filigree arches and ornaments in a warm colour spectrum ranging from orange to terracotta and Bordeaux; an original oriental 'Souk' bazaar reflecst the exotic atmosphere of the historic old town Medina. On the bazaar street, there is the lively, colourful hustle and bustle between stands offering spices, different tea varieties, fragrances along with oriental carpet merchants, snake charmers and seductive belly dancers.

Dr Dietrich Tegtmeyer, head of Product Development & Application in LANXESS's Leather business unit, presented the new process for the wet end at the IULTCS world conference in Washington, USA, on June 23. This technology, which was developed over the past 15 months in LANXESS's Product Development and Application Department in Leverkusen and for which a patent has now been applied, is to be launched on the market under the name Levotan X-Cel.

DyStar say they are forced to take this step as a result of the sharp rise in the cost of energy and raw materials in recent months.

2-Ethylhexanoic acid: + €40 per metric ton; Formic acid, 85%: + €40 per metric ton;

The ASTM Committee D31 on Leather was formed in 1971. D31 meets twice a year, usually in May and October, with about 20 members attending two days of technical meetings. The Committee, with a current membership of approximately 50, has jurisdiction over 116 standards, published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 15.04. D31 has 8 technical subcommittees that maintain jurisdiction over these standards.

There were 6.83 million head of cattle on farms in Ukraine on June 1 this year, compared with 7.35 million head on the same date in 2006. Production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first five months of this year was 5.4% lower than in the same period in 2006. In comparison, overall industrial output in Ukraine in the January to May period this year was 12.1% higher year-on-year.

In comparison, the monthly decrease in industrial output in Turkey in April was 5.2%, and the annual increase, 1.4%.

In comparison, industrial output in South Africa was 1.9% lower month-on-month in April.

Production was 4.6% lower than in the January to April period in 2006. In comparison, industrial output in Slovakia was 15.3% higher year-on-year.

Slovakian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to March period were 1.1% higher year-on-year at US$87 million.

In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in April was 14% higher year-on-year.

This increase in productivity partly resulted from the year-on-year decrease of 6.9% in the number of employees working in the industry.

Albanian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to April period were worth US$25.9 million, as against US$22 million in the same period last year.

Exports were worth US$6 million, as compared with US$5.2 million in the same period in 2006. Israel imported the same types of commodities worth US$34.7 million in the January to April period, as against US$29.3 million in the corresponding period last year.

Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to March period were 21.8% higher year-on-year at E70.1 million.

The appointments create a leadership team that blends highly experienced, long-standing Clariant executives with outside talent, all of whom have excellent track records in driving change and achieving outstanding results. This also marks a major step forward in developing a culture characterised by a customer and market orientation, entrepreneurship, innovation and strong accountability. 'Our strategic direction is the right one and we are making progress toward achieving our goals', Clariant CEO Jan Secher said. 'To further accelerate our progress, I have made several key appointments to strengthen the team and to deliver on our promises.'

More than three months before the fairs, the exhibition area in the International Halls of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) has already exceeded the overall figure for the previous year, according to fair organisers.

The Leather Research Laboratory has organised the Leather Orientation Seminar for August 2 - 3, 2007 at the University of Cincinnati. The Leather Orientation Seminar is designed specifically for the leather product manufacturing and use industries. Professionals involved in leather purchasing, product design, and quality control will benefit, together with chemical companies and newer tannery employees.

The UK's leading forklift attachment company, B&B Attachments has launched the T351ES series, a corrosion resistant rotator for fish processing, tanneries, salt mines and environments where acids and alkalis are used. Developed by Kaup GmbH & Co. KG, the rotators are painted with a special corrosion resistant finish (RAL 5005), which helps protect them against the effects of seawater, salt and acid.

The Nepszabadsag daily reports that the Raba River Committee, comprising representatives of the Hungarian and Austrian governments, met recently to discuss the issue of the pollution of the Raba river by three Austrian tanneries, according to the Interfax news agency. The committee will formulate a plan of action by September and will meet frequently until then. Hungarian officials were reported as saying that the situation is difficult because none of the three factories by themselves exceed chemical pollution limits, although their combined output does constitute an environmental hazard.

ANPIC 2007 included international pavilions from Brazil, Spain, and the Czech Republic while the following countries were also represented by exhibiting companies: Argentina, France, Taiwan, Australia, Germany, United States, India, Slovenia, Uruguay, Chile, South Africa, China, Italy, Japan, Sweden South Korea and Switzerland.

Yue Yuen, the world's largest sports shoes maker, are to double the number of their retail stores in China, partly to take advantage of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and also to diversify their business away from manufacturing.

TFL USA/Canada Inc have opened a new customer service centre in the US which is strategically positioned in the greater Houston area. Its central location in NAFTA, port access and international airport hub make the Houston area an ideal location for this centre.

Sharjah and an Italian exhibition organiser have come together to launch a trade exhibition for the footwear and leather accessories industry. Expo Centre Sharjah, which operates under the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), and Riva del Garda Fiere Congressi, an exhibition and conference centre in Italy's Trentino province, said they will jointly organise the trade event for the Middle East region.

Registrations are now being accepted for the XXIX Congress of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS) Congress and the 103rd annual meeting of the American Leather Chemists Association (ALCA) which will convene on June 20-24, 2007, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC, USA.

Exports of China leather and related industry products and shoes are being affected by an increase in imports. While exports rose to US$39.2 billion in 2006, up 9% year-on-year, the rate of increase dropped by 11%. Exports of leather, fur and finished products reached US$34.8 billion, up 7% year-on-year but the rate of increase dropped by 12%.

The government has refused to provide funds for the purpose of running the National Institute of Leather Technology (NILT) at Korangi (Karachi). The decision came during a board meeting of the Export Development Fund (EDF), headed by Federal Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan, on March 1 in Islamabad.

Following the closure of their Centurion facility in Johannesburg, Eagle Ottawa South Africa Ltd recently auctioned off the leather processing plant and finishing machinery, furniture and equipment.

COTANCE members have drawn the European Commission's attention to the recent Brazilian move to consolidate the export tax on raw materials for the leather industry, disregarding for the second consecutive time the self-imposed schedule for the dismantling of the trade barrier. European tanners denounce the move saying that export taxes on raw materials provide a subsidy to the protected leather industry that can reach up to 20% of production costs and that there are few operators on the open market capable of withstanding such unfair competition over time.

Much of the marketing of leather is based on image. So long as the top designers and brand names continue to regard leather as a luxury item then, hopefully, the lower end of the market will be able to sell leather clothing and accessories because the high street always follows with their own economic versions.

The High Court has given notice to the Agra district authorities for not shifting leather tanneries from the city's Khatikpara area. A petition, filed by Adarsh Khatik Samaj Sewa Samiti, will affect approximately 65 tanneries in the region.

'2006 was a truly exciting year for the Adidas Group, as we strengthened our brand portfolio by acquiring Reebok and exceeded the e10 billion sales mark for the first time in the group's history', said Adidas AG chairman and CEO Herbert Hainer. The group's performance at the 2006 World Cup went a long way towards strengthening the brand's recognition.

Hide defects and imperfections have always been problematic for tanneries seeking to maximise the usable area of leather crust. Surface defects influence the profitability of leather-making and present one of the biggest challenges to the tanners.

Introduction

TCIM are operating a state of the art primary treatment. The daily effluent volume of 150 m3 is screened, aerated and mixed in a balancing tank. This follows physical/chemical separation of solids involving coagulation, flocculation and sludge settlement. In this treatment step, coarse solids are removed and suspended solids as well as colloidal fractions are settled. The soluble organic fractions of the effluent are then treated in a sequence of seven horizontal reed beds with a total surface area of 450 m2.

Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm is not caused by a worm at all. It is in fact a fungal infection that can be caused by three different types of fungi: Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. Collectively they are called Dermatophytes.

By obtaining the average moisture content of a pile of wet leather it is possible to better define the quantities of reactive chemicals needed. The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance has been improved as a promising solution to determine the moisture of the piled material.

Chrome tanned leathers contain chromium in valence state III (Cr III). The amount of chrome in the leather varies due to variations in production processes but for a shoe upper leather the chromium content is typically 4%.

Thema will be present in Tanning Tech where they will highlight their Dry-Flat continuous conditioning machine, the result of Thema System's long experience in the field of drying and natural conditioning of leather. The Dry-Flat line meets market requirements for a machine to dry or simply condition skins or hides which have varying moisture content at delivery and which, after conditioning, will have precisely controlled, uniform humidity and perfect flatness. This has been achieved by removing the moisture in a natural, unforced manner, with temperature and relative humidity parameters under constant control and management by PLC.

Specialised in the tanning sector since 1953, Fratelli Carlessi manufacture leather drying and finishing plants, exported to more than 90 countries all over the world. They have been present in Brazil, where they have supplied more than fifty plants, since the early seventies and are represented by their agent Eugenio Campassi, Tecnotan Comercio e Rapresentação Ltda.

Carlessi and Linta are familiar faces at Tanning Tech where they will once again be sharing a stand. Carlessi have been active in the tanning machinery sector since 1953 and are known widely for their finishing lines and drying tunnels.

What are VOCs?

VOCs are carbon-based compounds that easily evaporate into the atmosphere. There are several forms of VOCs, some examples being:

* acetone

* trichloroethylene

* isopropyl alcohol

* methylethyl ketone

* white spirit

VOCs are commonly used in many industries for processes such as degreasing, thinning and dissolving. They can also be found in certain materials, such as paint, inks and adhesives.

During the four-week period ended March 16, 2007, Federally Inspected Slaughter showed an average weekly kill of 629,500, down from the 631,000 of our last report. However, this compares with an average of 609,250 in the same period the previous year and represents a 4% increase over 2006.

Kills were steady during March and despite slaughterhouses complaining about losing significant amounts of money by having to pay high prices for live cattle, the kill levels were higher than had been anticipated.

When your editor dared to predict a 50/50 chance for the market to move up or down there were certain reactions. All opposite, of course, which says enough in itself!! An interesting and extreme response came from a well established European trader who said: 'No, it will be 90% down 10% up.'

Lunar Holidays in Asia contributed to a relatively slow pace of hide sales during the last part of February. However, early March saw buyer interest improving, but at lower prices. Most producers elected to reject bids under previous levels or to only sell in smaller quantities.

Year 2 Northampton Fashion student, Catherine Nevill celebrated her success after being selected in a university competition to win a trip to Hong Kong to visit the Asia Pacific Leather Fair (APLF).

Professional lobbies and associations are of extreme importance and I had some interesting conversations with the late Tony Mossop when he was president of the International Council of Tanners, an organisation we haven't heard much of in recent years. Anyway that is not what I want to write about. Let's go back to Africa, continent of unimaginable possibilities, if only it gets a fair chance. Instead it is ripped off on each and every occasion and mainly by a few of its own citizens.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that Serbian exports of leather and leather products increased substantially in the first four months of this year, compared with the same period in 2006. Exports worth €49.1 million were €13 million higher year-on-year. Serbian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to April period were worth E78.4 million, as against €60.1 million in the corresponding period last year.

Latin America's largest beef processor have agreed to acquire America's third biggest beef and pork processor, creating the biggest worldwide meatpacking firm. According to the companies' respective majority owners, Sao Paulo-based J&F Participacoes SA and Dallas-based private equity firm HM Capital Partners LLC, JBS SA, maker of Brazil's Friboi meat brand, will buy Swift & Co in an all-cash transaction worth $1.4 billion.

Croatia's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$43 million in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Croatian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to April period were 32.6% lower year-on-year at US$33 million.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office has reported that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first four months of this year was 3.6% lower than in the same period in 2006. In comparison, manufacturing output in Macedonia in the January to April period was 13.3% higher year-on-year.

Macedonia's State Statistical Office has reported a substantial increase in the average gross monthly wage in the country's leather industry in the first quarter of this year. Wages increased by 21.7% year-on-year, as compared with the annual increase in wages in Macedonia's manufacturing sector of 5%.

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland exported raw livestock hides and skins worth €14.3 million in the first two months of this year, as compared with €15.2 million in the same period in 2006. Ireland also imported the same types of commodities worth €300,000 in January and February, as against E600,000 in the same months last year.

The Genuine Italian Vegetable-Tanned Leather Consortium was founded on October 17, 1994, by eleven companies from the tanning region which nestles between Pisa and Florence. Brought together by their dedication to the production of high quality, natural and long lasting leather, the consortium aims to raise consumer awareness of the veg tanning process which they describe as 'a perfect marriage of natural quality, tradition and advanced technology.'

The latest Fashion Up! comes with four fresh seasonal statements from Clariant's Leather Business. The latest forecast for spring-summer 2008 allows tanners to be one step ahead when it comes to leather fashion. The Group's innovative fashion package includes four trendsetting routes to follow: 'Pure and Simple', 'Fashion Rebellion', 'Clean Lines' and 'Cool Luxe'.

When traditional English shoemakers Loake were granted a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment to the Queen earlier this year, some were a little surprised. No one questioned that the fifth-generation family firm merited the award, they had just assumed they would already have royal approval.

Discreet & Bucolic

Discreet exalts traditional craftsmanship to give new value to modernity and adopts a new relaxed attitude which combines charm and modesty with creativity. Bucolic sees a return to high quality basics, timeless classics and reinvents fashion that is easy to wear but sophisticated. In town or country, they lunch around a futuristic kitchen table made from eternal materials and add a dash of hot ketchup to their steamed organic vegetables.

Suite

This trend is all about luxury

The world of personal luxury is warm and harmonious with intimate attention to objects that reveal their quality in terms of time. The luxury of the time taken to create them and the satisfaction of the experience of their ripening through use. The luxury of the cult of care, a kind of generous attention to those investment pieces that reflect discernment, accomplishment and status. Excellent materials and impeccable craftsmanship produce the icons of timeless class. Timeless beauty in a composition that is rich and modern. The importance of volumes and new forms in soft and lightweight materials, the same tones in different rhythms. A suite of proposals, a dance both classic and contemporary. Classic treatments are presented in new lightweights, with soft draping handle

The atmosphere is bright and clear when spread over the latter part of the year [2006] in the environment of Italian tanning. The great fashion houses and the celebrated brand names are seemingly lengthening their forecasts for orders, granting themselves more consistent organisation and foreseeing an extended period of work.

Massimo Donda's recent book Al Piedi del Successo - La Calzatura, il Consumatore, il Mercato is now available in English. At the feet of success - the shoe, the consumer, the market contains three forewords. One is by Carlo Sangalli, president of the Italian trade confederation Confcommercio which represents 800,000 trade firms in Italy. Another is by Mario Moretti Polegato, president of Geox, and the final one is by Peter T Mangione, president of FDRA, Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America.

This was the fourth time that Le Cuir A Paris took place within the overall Premiere Vision Pluriel event, enabling it to benefit from the synergy with other trade shows. In all 10,107 visitors registered, 66% of which were from abroad, representing an almost 2% increase compared with February 2006.

After a few years of intensive collaboration, two historical names in the leather chemical industry, SODA and Tanin International, have joined forces to create a brand new company. However, unlike most new companies, this one will already have a solid background through years of previous experience and the appreciation of hundreds of clients for their products.

Russia's State Customs Committee reports that Russia imported leather and leather products worth US$393 million from countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in 2006. Imports of the same types of commodities from CIS states last year were worth US$4.9 million. Russian exports of leather and leather products to non-CIS states in 2006 were worth US$309 million, and to CIS states, US$17.5 million.

Lineapelle have inaugurated the LP Fashion Studio at their headquarters in Milan, via Brisa 3. The showroom houses more than 15,000 leather samples collected during the 30 years of activities by Lineapelle. They have decided to make this collection permanently available to fashion designers, operators and experts in the sector. A special area is devoted to current trends.

This year, for the first time, the Stahl display at Fimec will feature wet-end, finishing and Permuthane using a brand new stand. This will make it easier for visitors to see the complete range of Stahl products.

The newly developed Roda pur ADX is a very soft and finely dispersed polyurethane that can be utilised for all types of leather articles.

New SilvaChimica products for the wet-end include: Ritan S powder is a mixture of vegetable extracts and condensation products of phenol-naphthalene sulphonic acids. It is suitable for the retannage of chrome tanned leathers where good fullness and roundness are required. Moreover, it has a very good dispersing effect so that it can be used in combination with other vegetable and synthetic tannins to improve their penetration and distribution.

In their beamhouse range, ATC have launched Actilime DSC, a new liming auxiliary that provides a dehairing effect, swelling control and better grain cleanliness. It also allows high reduction of sodium sulfides in the process.

'Nothing can replace leather' is the title of the first chapter of a book called 'A century of motion 1906-2006' and subtitled 'Chiorino in Biella, continuity and innovation' by Guido Corbetta and Michele D'Alessandro. This is somewhat ironic given that Chiorino started life as a tannery but is now a multinational group which sets standards for conveyor belts.

The Karachi office of Riaz Traders tell us that they are working on Environmental Management system (EMS). To be a part of it, they have taken almost all the necessary steps which are required for ISO 14001 certification. They are now going to implement EMS internally in their organization.

In May, the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research PCSIR organised a national seminar on the benefits of enzyme technology for the leather industry. Agha Saiddain, president of the Environmental Society of the Pakistan Tanners Association, stated that if chemicals in the soaking and unhairing/ liming process were replaced by enzymes, the pollution load in the effluent can be reduced and solid sludge in primary treatment plants will contain lower levels of contaminants.

In the first quarter of this year, Natuzzi's total net sales decreased by 18.3% to €153.8 million from€188.2 million in 2006. During the same quarter the number of seats sold decreased by 17% with respect to one year ago.

The thing about shows in China is that they always look busy but this can be deceptive. The 17th International Shoe and Leather Show in Guangzhou was described by one visitor: 'The event has a real buzz to it and is clearly both a shoe and leather fair. Another said: After speaking with a quite a few of the exhibitors they are saying it is on its way down now as last year there were five halls and this year there are three, very much in the same vein as APLF. Although the big chemical companies are here: BASF, Clariant, Stahl, Kemia Tau etc, but they are only the Chinese regional offices so this cannot be called an international show as it is purely for the Chinese market. One of the 'lost' halls had been filled with tanneries last year while the other hosted tanning machinery companies.

Qatar's Planning Council reports that Qatar imported 30,101 kilos of raw hides and skins, and leather, worth US$629,176 in 2006. Imports of leather products last year totalled 3.21 million kilos worth US$22.9 million.

Kyrgyzstan's National Statistics Committee reports that Kyrgyzstan exported 38,897 tonnes of raw hides worth US$14.1 million in 2006, with both figures being higher than in 2005.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that the production of leather and leather products in Croatia in the first four months of this year was 22.3% higher than in the same period in 2006. In comparison, industrial output in Croatia in the January to April period was 8.3% higher year-on-year.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth US$84.8 million in the quarter of this year, a year-on-year increase of 57.6%. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in the January to March period were 28.7% higher year-on-year at US$35.5 million.

At this month's Aircraft Interiors Exhibition in Hamburg Germany the halls were buzzing with talk of the new SupaLite product, the result of a unique co-operation between Pittards and Yarwood which is set to revolutionise the weight saving boundaries in leather and seating applications.

The technology centre has just renewed the laboratory's Satra-accredited status for another year following a comprehensive audit of its control systems, equipment and personnel. This audit again showed the laboratory was continuing to work to the high standards required.

The adjustments are necessary to address the continuously increasing raw material, energy and logistics cost and a result of unsatisfactory margins. „The price increase is unavoidable and will apply to all of our customers and dealers to further ensure the highest quality standard and customized service“ says John Clegg, Regional Manager, East Asia.

The British Glove Association, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Glovers, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Glove Design Competition.

Up till now, over 95% of the exhibiting surface for the next edition of Le Cuir A Paris, September 18-21, 2007, and held within Premiere Vision Pluriel, has been reserved. As usual, the Italian presence will be very important, particularly, with a pavilion organised by the region of Tuscany (Promozione Economica della Toscana). This pavilion will comprise 18 companies, of which four have never participated in Le Cuir A Paris before: F.lli Nazzi, Conceria Stratos, Conceria Genesis 98 and MPG Cuoificio Spa.

The next XXIX Congress of the IULTCS and the 103rd annual convention of the American Leather Chemists Association will be taking place from June 20-24, 2007, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC, United States of America.

Dow have announced price increases for acrylates in all regions. They state that The Dow Chemical Company and its affiliates ('Dow') have announced price increases for acrylic acid and esters ('acrylates') effective June 1, 2007, or as otherwise allowed by individual contract terms.

Reports indicate that Pakistani and Uzbek investors are planning to establish a joint venture in the leather industry, but no details were given. A delegation from the Pakistani leather industry is to shortly visit Uzbekistan.

Imports of the same types of commodities were 44.2% higher year-on-year at US$83.2 million.

EBITDA pre exceptionals grew by 6.8% in the period from January to March 2007, to 219 million euros (205 million euros in the same period in 2006). The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals rose to 12.8% (Q1 2006: 11.2%). The group improved operating result (EBIT pre exceptionals) by 10.5% to 158 million euros (Q1 2006: 143 million euros).

Ireland's Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland exported raw hides and skins worth 6.8 million euros in January, compared with 7 million euros in the same month last year. Ireland also imported the same types of commodities worth 100,000 euros in January, the same figure as in January 2006. Figures from the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service reveal that the United States imported leather products worth US$110,592 from Ireland in January, a year-on-year decrease of 53%.

The newest addition to the Burberry Icons Collection is the Knight bag will be launched in stores worldwide in September 2007. Previewed during the Burberry (http://uk.burberry.com) Prorsum autumn winter 2007 show, the Knight bag appeared in nappa leather with studs, plain nappa and patent mesh.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Energy, Alan Duncan, officially opened and was given a tour of SATRA Technology Centre's new footwear and leather testing laboratory in Kettering on 20th April.

LANXESS are on the way to becoming the world's biggest supplier of chrome ore to the chemical industry with 80 million tons of extra reserves found in the chrome ore mine operated by LANXESS in South Africa. 'With these we will be able to safeguard the growth of this profitable business for several decades', said LANXESS management board chairman Axel C Heitmann while visiting the mine in Rustenburg. The mine is run by the Leather business unit and mainly supplies company sites in South Africa and Argentina that process the raw material into products for leather manufacture.

Buckman Laboratories are among winners in the 2007 Training Top 125. The Top 125 is a ranking of organisations that excel at human capital development - as determined each year by Training magazine. Buckman are recognized for making sizeable investments in their employees and for doing so strategically and creatively.

Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that Ukraine exported leather and leather products worth USD50.6 million in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 60.4 per cent. Ukrainian imports of the same types of commodities in January and February were 26.1 per cent higher year-on-year at USD21.7 million.

Turkmenistan's president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov has said that cattle numbers in his country are continually rising with the current number being 2.06 million head, according to the Turkmen government's website. Berdymuhammedov added that the government is giving support to livestock producers.

Slovakia's Statistical Office reports that Slovakia exported hides and skins, and leather and leather products, worth US$14 million in January, a year-on-year decrease of 19.5%. Slovakian imports of the same types of commodities in January were 2.8% lower year-on-year at US$29 million.Production of leather and leather products in Slovakia in the first two months of this year was 6.8% lower than in the same period last year. In comparison, industrial output in Slovakia in January and February was 16.6% higher year-on-year.

Serbia's Statistical Office reports that Serbia exported leather and leather products worth EUR23.6 million in the first two months of this year, as compared with EUR17.0 million in the same period in 2006. Serbian imports of the same types of commodities in January and February were worth EUR32.2 million, as against EUR26.6 million in the corresponding period last year.

Romania's National Statistics Institute reports that there were a total of 2.93 million head of bovine livestock on farms in Romania on December 1, 2006, compared with 2.86 million on the same date in 2005. The largest number of bovine livestock in terms of region on December 1 last year was in the North-East region with 682,172 followed by the North-West region with 498,607.

Statistics Norway reports that Norway exported raw hides and skins worth US$29 million in the first quarter of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 19.4%. The number of cattle on farms in Norway on January 1 this year was 900,176, as compared with 919,679 on the same date in 2006 and 936,003 in 2005. The number of cattle in Norway fell below one million in 1999.

Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel exported leather and leather products worth US$2.7 million in the first two months of this year, compared with US$2.9 million in the same period in 2006. Israel imported the same types of commodities worth US$17.4 million in January and February, as against US$14.1 million in the corresponding period last year.

Hungary's Central Statistical Office reports that Hungary exported leather and leather products worth 9.1 million euros in January, a year-on-year decrease of 12.5%. Hungarian imports of the same types of commodities in January were 34.5% higher year-on-year at 24.1 million euros.

Croatia's Central Statistics Bureau reports that Croatia exported leather and leather products worth US$20.3 million in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%. Croatian imports of the same types of commodities in January and February were 40.9% lower year-on-year at US$14.6 million.

TheSauerReport.com has moved to new offices in the United Nations quarter in Geneva. The new office address is WCC building, Jura office 337, Route de Ferney 150, Grand Saconnex/Geneva. The new phone number is +41 22 7916538.

The AAFA have announced that the European Union are imposing punitive new duties of 15% on European imports of certain US-made athletic footwear, shirts and sweaters, effective May 1. This will be in addition to normal duties.

When attempting to gauge the success or otherwise of the latest Tanning Tech in Bologna it is first necessary to put the various exhibitions into context. Traditionally Tanning Tech has been held alongside the autumn edition of Lineapelle which is by far the bigger of the two biannual events. The two shows combined led to a full fairground with gridlocked car parks, traffic jams, long taxi queues and a shortage of hotel accommodation.

Stahl Asia Pacific presented its new fashion ideas for leather during its “Fashion Future” symposium at the Shangri-La Pazhou Hotel in Guangzhou, China on March 31. More than 250 leather technologists and tanners, as well as eighty Stahl employees and agents attended the symposium. They showed great interest in the fashion trends and technical insights into the theme 'Fashion Future - where technology becomes fashion'.

The XVII Latin American Congress of Leather Technicians and Chemists will be held from October 8-10, 2008 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event will take place at the Rio Othon Palace Hotel and incorporate the 18th meeting of ABQTIC the Brazilian leather chemists association. ABQTIC has a 35 year history and the largest membership of any national leather chemists association.

Instead of publishing fashion trends and fashion colours separately twice a year, the leather department at BASF is now presenting its trendsetting leather and fashion colours in a single brochure entitled: 'Inspirations for Leather' which is produced for the special requirements of the European market. Under the motto: 'Edition Toscana' the brochure features an assortment of modern textures, exquisite colours and excellent design.