Biodegradable Leather Developed

Shoes, bags and clothing manufacturers have developed leather that can completely biodegrade in nature through research efforts, transforming into fertiliser rich in nitrogen and carbon. Mehmet Sepici, Board Member of the Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association and Chairman of the Sepiciler Leather Board, stated that they have reached a successful conclusion in their R&D work on 100% biodegradable leather, and aim to achieve 10% of their total exports in 2021 using biodegradable leather. [caption id="attachment_118205" align="aligncenter"] Shoes, bags and clothing manufacturers have developed leather that can completely biodegrade in nature through research efforts, transforming into fertiliser rich in nitrogen and carbon.[/caption]  

Sepici, noting that they have been producing leather in İzmir for approximately 100 years, stated: "In our Ecotan project, we collaborated with SilvaTeam, one of the world's most important companies in leather tanning chemical production. We are the only tannery in Turkey to which SilvaTeam put forward this proposal. There are several criteria here – first, the company's capacity, production capability and size, and second, being an LWG Gold Member. As Sepiciler, we place great importance on sustainability projects and make serious investments. Since we export mainly to Europe and are suppliers to global companies, we closely monitor the European Green Deal process. We are part of developments that will set an example not only for our own sector but for Turkey regarding this matter," he said.

Sepici, describing their research with SilvaTeam, an Italian company active in the vegetable tanning sector, on a project started two years ago, stated that they investigated tanning methods that do not contain chemicals harmful to nature and could serve as a rich fertiliser source. He provided the following information: "As a result of the work, independent organisations conducted tests on the developed leather and found that after being used as shoes, bags or clothing, it can transform into fertiliser rich in nitrogen and carbon and can also be used in organic farming." Mehmet Sepici, Chairman of Sepiciler Leather Board, noted that in recent years sensitivity towards nature has come to the fore, and that across all sectors, including leather, the focus has shifted to 100% environmentally friendly products. Sepici, explaining that as a company they conduct R&D work with partners from various countries on innovative production practices, stated that they achieved success in their environmentally friendly product project started two years ago with their Italian project partners. Explaining that leather produced using a special tanning method completely biodegrades in nature, Sepici stated that they use methods containing no chemicals harmful to nature in their tanning process.

Pointing out that this product will provide them with significant advantages particularly in exports, Sepici noted the following:

"The end consumer will prefer this product because they will be certain that the clothing and shoes they use will return to nature. The export market is quite promising in terms of this product. Leading global brands will prefer this product. The demand for developing this product came from them. We also aim to achieve 10% of our total exports next year with this product." Sepici, stating that production is currently limited, added that production will increase as demand rises.