Online - 16th April 2021
The online workshop “Business model and best practices of Italian tanning industry and its implications on circular economy” took place on 16 April 2021. Co-organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy with the UNIDO Regional Office in Mexico (in the framework of its programme with Instituto de Emprendimiento Eugenio Garza Lagüera of Tecnológico de Monterrey), UNIC – Italian Tanneries and Lineapelle, the webinar was dedicated to the perspectives of Italian experts operating in the leather sector, who shared updated information about sustainable best practices for the application of circular economy business models for companies in the tanning industry of the State of Guanajuato, Mexico.
Moderated by Paulina Ballesteros, Coordinator at Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Maria Fernanda Perez Mendez, Office Assistant of the UNIDO Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the webinar opened with the welcome remarks of UNIDO ITPO Italy Head Diana Battaggia, who highlighted key figures supporting the development of green industries towards sustainable economic growth, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
The panel discussion saw the interventions of Luca Boltri, Vice-Director of UNIC, with an introduction to the country’s tanning industry, presenting economic data for local production areas, with an outlook to social responsibility and responsible consumption; Francesco Pepe, Executive Officer of UNIC Tuscany District, expanding on the concept of sustainability in terms of products, supply chain, use of resources and water, and illustrating the business model of Italian tanning districts and its implications on circular economy; Sabrina Frontini, Director of ICEC (the certification institute for the leather sector), presenting certificates as a pivotal intangible asset to verify and guarantee the sustainability and traceability of the leather industry; and finally Alessandra Siena, Leather Specialist of Lineapelle, with a technical insight regarding the training and promotion of the leather material.
Live poll sessions during the event focused on understanding the most critical categories of waste in the leather sector, as well as in learning more about the environmental sustainability of its production processes, with results showing the importance of certifications to guarantee the environmental friendliness of tanning industries. The event Q&A session also allowed online participants - from local companies and organizations in the field - to directly interact with the panelists by asking questions and furthering the debate on specific topics of interest, promoting knowledge exchange and potential business synergies among the two countries.