Probably the most significant advancement in the leather industry in recent times is the automation of materials handling. Such innovation has been led by the need to reduce time and costs by streamlining production. It is driven by the need to meet ever-changing health and safety requirements.

The tanning industry is one of the oldest industries in the world – and the demand for treatment and waste disposal is as old as the industry itself. The environmental effects that have to be taken into account comprise not only the load and concentration of the classic pollutants, but also the use of certain chemicals, such as biocides, surfactants, and organic solvents. The separation technology offered by the German company Flottweg offers an appropriate solution to tannery waste treatment.

After many years of technical trials and experiments, an elastic vibration staking machine conveyor with an endless, seamless, joint was born and trials suggest that its performance is excellent. The innovation has been brought to fruition by Italian company Danese, situated in Arzignano. The conveyors have been on trial since last February in some of the biggest tanneries in Arzignano and according to Danese, test results are very positive.

Feltre have a close collaboration with the Scottish Leather Group. Five years ago, Lang were seeking a more efficient means of processing hides from desalting to fleshing. In conjunction with the tannery management, technicians and operators, Feltre designed and installed a system catering to the specific needs of the client, involving a bridge conveyor to connect the desalting area with the deliming vessels in a separate building.

The UK's leading forklift attachment company, B&B Attachments have 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.

Gemata launched their Spraystar 3800 spraying machine in 2005, which was successfully installed in two tanneries which are world leaders in the finishing of full upholstery and automotive leathers. Now Gemata have launched a further innovation called Jumbostar SR 3800.

Italian machinery manufacturers Poletto have upgraded their Millennium 8.5-12.5 milling drum. The Millennium PT 12.5 Automatic has been designed for softening and conditioning hides and skins. The drum incorporates a computerised system to programme the work cycles and control the temperature, humidity and chemicals. Different versions of the drum are available, all equipped with an automatic hide unloading system.

The Value Engineering Alliance, providers of machine vision solutions, have launched HueView, innovative inspection technology specifically developed to deliver comprehensive colour analysis of multicoloured, patterned and textured items.

Flamar Italia, known across the world for the production of shaving machines and buffing and air-dedusting groups, have now launched an updated model of their sammying and setting out machine; the Twister model. The machine is available in the following working widths: 2400, 2700, 3100 and 3300mm.

Using Vision technology allows the Selectra from Turner to automatically grade hides and skins. The Selectra 1.5m version for crust skins and the 3m Selectra WB for wet-blue hides are currently available from Turner who are committed to taking the technology further.

Mosconi's Aster shaving machine is the natural evolution of the company's previous RMG shaving machines. Its construction is in a single heat-treated one piece block. The Aster is designed to achieve the very best in blade cylinder sharpening and constant shaving thickness. The operator will have key new controls at their disposal, such as the self-learning function to store specific set-ups and work sequences. The system is equipped with a powerful numerical control (CNC) combined with a heavy duty PC with touch screen TS technology to display interactive pages and is a guarantee of successful results in all stages of the shaving process.

The main features of Carlessi's latest rotary spray cabinet 'Diamond' include: stainless steel AISI 304 construction; big doors positioned on the control side and on the suction side as well; easy access and use of the electric controls. The spray cabinet can be equipped with an internal water recycling system by electro-pump or with dry bottom (Diamond/S) or with static water (Diamond/F).

Italian manufacturer Infragas Nova Impianti are leaders in catalytic technology with 25 years of experience in the production of thermic energy through catalytic combustion process of LPG and natural gas.

Olcina, Spain, are very proud of their Cangilones drum technology which offers a number of advantages to the tanner including a reduction in water and energy requirements which lead to important savings in effluent treatment. In addition, a Cangilones equipped beamhouse requires 48% less area than traditional drums.

Gerber Technology have introduced Pivex cutting technology designed to increase cutting speed for intricate shapes while improving cut quality. This innovative reciprocating knife technology features the ability to change direction at high rates of speed. The first GerberCutter to integrate Pivex cutting technology will be the Taurus system, the leading full-hide leather cutter in the industry.

Condutex Gold, the latest modification of the Condutex belt for staking machines was unveiled at APLF in Hong Kong. Due to its special elastic memory Condutex Gold is able to return to its original shape and is therefore longer lasting. The product is particularly suitable for very soft or delicate leathers as it avoids wrinkles and pleats. Equitan report positive feedback from those tanneries currently using the belt.

SL Navalhas have launched 3,300mm knives for shaving whole hides and skins. SL are a Brazilian company with a tradition of commitment to quality in every detail of their products.

German company Zins Ziegler Instruments have launched their stick-slip test stand SSP-01. When leather is brought into contact with other materials, this can cause unwanted squeak and groan noises and friction. Warranty complaints and loss of brand image can result from this problem. There are many effective solutions to these stick-slip problems, eg by placing suitable materials together, using a surface graining or covering the materials with an anti-friction coating.

Idrofilter is a new fine mesh filter that can be used in all types of industry to separate solids from effluent with mesh filters ranging in size from 100 to 1200m. According to makers Ecoplus, it is ideal for use in the separation of medium-fine solids from effluent and liquid processes.

Selin Projects unveiled their 'NEW TRANSFER for wet-blue' auto area measuring and thickness sorting machine at Tanning Tech. The machine is an update of the company's Rollmir Transfer WB model and is suitable for measuring any wet-blue leather.

Hüni will be at APLF to present their product range which consists of the following:

Once again Flamar Italia will be exhibiting at APLF. The company's commercial staff will provide technical information about their latest range of machinery. Flamar are currently focusing their efforts on the manufacturing of high quality shaving machines and buffing and dedusting groups. These products are available in a range of working widths for use with different types of skins; from 1,300mm for sheep and goat skins to 3,200mm for whole hides (upholstery).

With more than 50 years experience in the tanning sector Fratelli Carlessi will present the following innovations at APLF:

German machinery company IMAK have launched a new firm measuring system called HMS/F500-1. The model provides measurement of soft and elastic materials such as leather and other natural fibres.

Since 2002, Turner have directed most of their R&D efforts and investment towards perfecting vision technology which will identify faults in hides and skins. Last year, they introduced the Selectra automatic grading machine which was designed to identify defects in crust skins, many of the faults not even visible to the naked eye. This year, they went a step further with a 3m version for wet-blue hides, the Selectra WB.

Laseranlage is an innovation in 3D design development. The system allows the user to scan in the details of the leather structure and correct any defects in the leather by computer. These instructions are then sent to a machine containing a laser which burns the required design onto a very hard black rubber which acts like a negative. Laseranlage provides a much faster, precise process for the engraving of printing rollers.