On April 3, 2025, the town of Arzignano in Italy hosted a key event for the future of the Veneto leather industry.
At the headquarters on Via del Lavoro 22, the Veneto Leather District introduced a new initiative called REWASTER. This project focuses on reusing waste from the leather tanning process in a smart and eco-friendly way.
The project is backed by a regional funding of €765,000, covering more than half of the total investment of €1.45 million. It aims to make leather production more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.
REWASTER is designed to turn tanning waste into valuable new materials. It plans to reduce pollution and promote a circular production system that recycles instead of discards.
Key players in this project include:
- Veneto Leather District
- SSIP (Experimental Station for the Leather Industry)
- Acque del Chiampo S.p.A.
- Top Italian research bodies like CNR and UNIVE
The event also gave a preview of upcoming trials with new wastewater purification technologies. These technologies are expected to revolutionize how wastewater is treated in the tanning industry.
Another major focus is turning leather waste into non-woven fabrics (TNT). These fabrics could be used for industrial purposes, making waste valuable again.
Seven tanneries from the Vicenza region have already joined the project. They will test and help refine the new methods. Collaboration with renowned research institutions ensures that the science behind REWASTER is solid and results-driven.
