The Leather Working Group (LWG) celebrated its 20th anniversary at the 106th Lineapelle fair in Milan on September 24. Since its founding in 2005, LWG has become a key player in improving environmental standards across the leather industry.
With Leather Working Group turning 20 years old, LWG asked some of the most influential people and organisations from across the industry to talk about what the group means to them.
Luis Zugno, Chair of Leather Naturally, highlighted a major collaboration with LWG.
“Leather Naturally and Leather Working Group teamed up to submit a joint dataset to the Higg Index, with the goal of updating the environmental metrics for bovine leather. This partnership led to the adoption of a new industry average in October 2024, dramatically reducing the reported impacts of bovine leather by an impressive 55% to 67%. Most notably, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) dropped by 60%, lowering it to just 14.6 points.”
Luis Zugno, Chair of Leather Naturally
Kim Sena, JBS Couros Sustainability Director, praised the collaborative spirit of LWG.
“It is a creative but not competitive space where we can focus on working together for the good of the industry. Above all, it’s the people: passionate and capable, always ready to fearlessly dive into tough challenges together – they have made the work not only motivating but also deeply enjoyable.”
Kim Sena, Sustainability Director, JBS Couros
Kerry Senior, Director of Leather UK, emphasized the trust LWG builds across the supply chain.
“In a time of increasing scrutiny and even greater uncertainty, LWG has helped to give brands, manufacturers and consumers confidence in the leather and leather goods that they are buying. Ever-increasing transparency and sustainability will be vital to the future of leather.”
Kerry Senior, Director, Leather UK
Andy Seaward, founding member of LWG, recalled the group’s early days.
“Initially it was the tanneries who pushed the whole idea rather than the brands who came aboard later. The strength of the group was the breadth of knowledge coming from different perspectives. The group worked very hard in the early days and had what were sometimes heated discussions, but the strength was the cross-industry input which gained the momentum to get where the LWG is today.”
Andy Seaward, founding member of LWG
Ian Scher, VP of Procurement at PrimeAsia Leather Company, noted tangible improvements.
“Across all the key sectors within our operations, the Leather Working Group Protocol has driven improvements in our environmental performance: reducing waste streams, limiting air emissions, eliminating hazardous chemicals, and dramatically minimising the risks to and improving the safety of our people.”
Ian Scher, VP of Procurement at PrimeAsia Leather Company
Carl Flach, Senior Director at ISA Next-Gen Materials, summed up LWG’s impact.
“The establishment of Leather Working Group and the continuous improvement of industry benchmarks have driven greater transparency and accountability in the leather industry. ISA’s sustainability efforts, often LWG-influenced, have built strong confidence among our customers.”
Carl Flach, Senior Director, ISA Next-Gen Materials
Over two decades, the Leather Working Group has become a benchmark for sustainability, collaboration, and innovation in the leather industry. Its efforts continue to shape a more responsible and transparent supply chain while inspiring global confidence in leather products.
