Saturday 23rd April saw the 124th Annual International Conference of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists. This year’s conference saw the first in-person attendance since 2019 together with a continued ability to attend through remote connection which allowed many of our international colleagues and those isolating with Covid-19 to still join us.
The conference agenda this year looked at a range of topics and the day began with a fascinating Wolstenholme Memorial Lecture by Suzie Fletcher, Master Saddle Maker. This was followed by presentations by:
Arnold Britten and Lindelwe Sibanda, Zambezi Tanners – Case Study on building a sustainable tannery;
Dirick von Behr, Royal Smit & Zoon – Technical Advancement to support the leather industry;
Dr Michael Meyer, FILK – Performance Study of Leather v Alternative Materials;
Panel* Discussion on Challenges, Risks & Opportunities for Leather and Alternative Materials;
Deborah Taylor, Sustainable Leather Foundation – Implication of increased demands for due diligence and proposed EU/UK/US legislation.
Dr Clive Jackson-Moss was awarded the Axel Landmann Certificate for his contribution to the leather industry and the day ended with the SLTC Annual Dinner Dance.
*Panel moderated by Dr Christine Anscombe, Satra, with panelists: Reiner Hengstmann, ISA Tantec; Clebio Marques, Van Couros; Dr Michael Meyer, FILK; and Katie Kutskill, Sustainable Leather Foundation.
The Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists is a non-profit International Society serving the leather sector and dedicated to the future of the leather industry. In our changing world information is the key to success therefore the Society was formed to encourage interest in all branches of the leather industry and it covers both the theoretical and practical interests of not only those involved in making leather but also the hide and skin trades, machinery, chemical and dye and finish manufacturers as well as allied industries such as effluent treatment. The interests of the Society cover chemistry of course but also physics, management, microscopy, bacteriology and engineering. You can find out more by clicking here: https://www.sltc.org/
