The Italian footwear, leather goods and tanning machinery industry faced a tough first half of 2025 with a 12.8% drop in exports. Yet the 51st edition of Simac Tanning Tech, held at Fiera Milano Rho, showed that Italy remains a leader in innovation and resilience.
According to the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) more than 7000 visitors, approximately 49% of international visitors and 25% of exhibitors from around 20 countries and with Lineapelle fair which took place at the same time period led to over 9,000 visitors passing between the two fairs.
Starting in 2024, the Italian footwear, leather goods and tanning machinery industry faced a critical phase, confirmed by the first half of 2025, which saw a 12.8% decline in exports.
This decline is part of an unstable global context, characterised by conflicts, geopolitical and commercial tensions and a review of supply chain processes in the fashion sector.
“Our data shows a sector in decline, but the signals coming from the trade fair are partly reassuring and we believe they are not just a flash in the pan”
Mauro Bergozza, President of Assomac.
This edition of Simac Tanning Tech offered a rich programme of events and debates on the most topical issues: Artificial Intelligence, sustainability, traceability and European innovation projects in the sector.
The African continent, which is increasingly strategic in terms of demand for industrial goods and cooperation aimed at strengthening the main industrial supply chains.
Assomac hosted in-depth meetings on the African continent at the fair, with a focus on Kenya, involving the main institutions of both countries.
This was an important dialogue aimed at strengthening the partnership, with the goal of promoting the competitiveness of Italian-made products and contributing to the development of the leather and footwear supply chain in Africa.
Simac Tanning Tech with its role as a promoter of technology and relationships, has proven to be the catalyst needed to address the challenges of an ever-changing market, providing useful tools for recovery.
