GLCC members support Leather Naturally initiative

The member associations of the Global Leather Coordinating Committee (GLCC); the International Council of Tanners (ICT), International Council of Hides, Skins and leather Traders Associations (ICHSLTA) and the International union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS), have agreed to support the Leather Naturally Initiative.

At their last meeting in Shanghai on August 30, the GLCC invited representatives of Leather Naturally (LN) to present their proposed development plan for a unified approach to the global promotion of leather. This was envisaged as a concerted, stand-alone project aimed primarily at actively engaging with younger generations; the Millennials and “Generation Z.” As reported by ILM, during the meeting the GLCC members agreed to consult and confirm their respective associations’ support for a proposed development plan aimed the global promotion of leather.

All three industry bodies have agreed to support this initiative and say they have also agreed to encourage all the entities within their respective constituencies to support the project financially where appropriate. “The GLCC member associations all agree that there is an urgent need for the image of leather and the leather producing industry to be positively and actively presented to consumers in general and especially to the younger generations. The LN project seeks to do this, with a special focus on the creation and use of a state-of-the-art multimedia platform to promote leather as a fashion item”, says a statement.

As of October 18, 2018, Leather Naturally now benefits from a legal status and has been incorporated as an Association (‘Vereniging’ in Dutch), according to Dutch law. It seeks to promote the use of globally-manufactured sustainable leather and to inspire and inform designers and consumers about its beauty, quality and versatility.