Bodo Brandt, a senior technologist from chemical company Zschimmer & Schwarz (Z&S), recently hosted a chemical workshop at the Institute for Creative Leather Technology (ICLT) at the University of Northampton, UK.

The second year BSc students were participants on the course and were shown a range of new developments from the company. This year’s showcase included chromium-free glazed shoe upper, waterproof suede, sheepskin garment, floater leathers (goat and bovine), white shoe upper and titanium/zirconium tanned deerskin.

Z&S technical lectures and support of the leather school is aligned with the students’ interest in the latest developments, particularly chromium free technology.

Ten South Africans sponsored by the Sectoral Education Training Authority (SETA), backed by the South African Department of Trade and Industry, have been at the university since January, and travel back to complete their assignments and dissertation.