Between September 17 and 19, the 104th edition of the renowned leather trade show Lineapelle took place at Rho Fiera Milano, attracting 23,800 industry professionals.
Lineapelle 104 witnessing a 6% drop in attendance from February, with 43% of visitors arriving from 112 foreign countries, the event retained an mixed reaction.
“Before the opening, we feared the crisis would negatively impact the mood of the exhibition. Instead, it was a springboard to present high-level products,”
Fulvia Bacchi, Lineapelle’s CEO
However, she cautioned that expectations for a late 2024 recovery went unmet and expressed concerns about continued economic complexities into 2025.
“There’s talk of a possible rebound in the second half of 2025, but these are just hypotheses,” Bacchi added.
The global leather market is experiencing a transformation, with emerging players outside traditional markets like the U.S. and Europe.
Countries like Mexico, South America, and Japan are becoming key players, with Japan making a strong return despite challenges posed by its weak currency.
Meanwhile, China is aggressively promoting its domestic brands, prompting Bacchi to stress the importance of maintaining strong relationships with Chinese companies as suppliers of high-quality leather.
Despite the positive showcases, there was an undercurrent of concern from some exhibitors and industry professionals.
Shamil Valitov, a leather producer specializing in Wet Blue and Crust Leather, shared his candid thoughts on the current state of the industry following the exhibition.
“We, tanners, leather traders, raw hides traders, have lost—to plastic, fast fashion, propaganda,”
Shamil Valitov
According to him, the autumn exhibition felt notably smaller, with 20-25% fewer stands and visitors compared to the previous year.
Valitov emphasized the challenges many in the leather sector face, pointing to rising costs for finishing leather among top brands, while smaller players are struggling to compete with prices that are 3-6 times lower.
“Global trade is saying goodbye to us,” he lamented, highlighting the severe delays in global shipping, with containers between Europe and Asia taking 75-90 days.
Valitov also predicted a looming financial crisis, leaving little room for optimism.
“Unfortunately, there isn’t a place for optimism. I hope I’m wrong…”
Improving the quality of leather products, especially within the luxury sector, was a major theme at Lineapelle.
With luxury brands demanding the finest materials to justify their price points, exhibitors showcased leathers with natural textures, soft hues, and glossy finishes that emphasize craftsmanship.
Among them was Bonaudo, a company that has managed to thrive despite economic challenges.
“We have improved our practices,”
Alessandro Iliprandi, CEO of Bonaudo
He also acknowledged that achieving zero environmental impact remains an unattainable goal.
He defended leather as a natural product, noting that it is derived from by-products of the food industry, making it more sustainable than many alternative materials.
Bonaudo’s success in 2024 has been driven by its focus on innovation and quality.
“The excellent results of last year and this first semester confirm the strength of our strategy focused on quality, innovation, and expertise”
Alessandro Iliprandi, CEO of Bonaudo
The company also introduced historical leather designs, reviving aesthetically valuable pieces that had been discontinued due to manufacturing difficulties.
In conclusion, the 104th edition of Lineapelle reflected both optimism and concern within the global leather industry. While the event maintained its vibrancy with high-quality showcases and emerging market interest, the economic challenges faced by the sector were undeniable. As the leather market navigates this transitional phase, the hope for recovery remains tempered by the complexities ahead, with cautious optimism for a potential rebound in late 2025.
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