57th annual meeting of VGCT

This year's general meeting of VGCT (German Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists) was held in Koblenz and directed by VGCT chairman Prof Michael Stoll. On the first day, the members were informed about the annual statement of account and the board of management was elected. The following candidates were unanimously confirmed: Dr Hermann Birkhofer (vice-chairman), Dr Hans-Jürgen Kellert, Dr Heinrich Franke, Dr Gerhard Nickolaus and Thomas Frosch. Dr Christiane Hauber, scientist at Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen, was awarded the VGCT-prize 2005 for her excellent work into the prevention of chromate formation in leather and for her dedication to the publishing of a BREF-document detailing the best available technologies for tanneries. The VGCT-symposium took place over the following days with interesting lectures about technologies as well as economic and ecological issues. Experts spoke about on-line quality control in the tanning process and new procedures, in fields such as retanning technology and hydrophobing process. The reduction of emissions and how to measure them were also discussed. The overviews of test methods for leather, eg to characterise squeaking, loose grain effect or anti-microbial finishing, were considered to be of particular interest. The AGM was considered successful and all participants appreciated the exchange of ideas and experience. The next general meeting of VGCT will be held from March 15-16, 2006, in Reutlingen.