The Leather Conservation Centre has taken a key step to strengthen the future of leather preservation through a new collaboration with the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC).
The move aims to fill a growing knowledge gap around modern leathers made from the 1920s onwards. While the Leather Conservation Centre is known worldwide for its expertise in ancient and historic leathers it lacks detailed data on how newer leathers are made and how they age over time.
Museums conservators and collectors are now dealing with leather objects that are no longer ancient but not truly modern either.
Without clear information on their chemistry and structure proper care becomes guesswork.
SLTC believes it can help. Its members include leather technologists, scientists, chemists and educators with deep hands-on experience of modern leather making.
The council has now approved the formation of a voluntary working group to support the Leather Conservation Centre.
The group will be chaired by Karl Flowers and will focus on two clear goals.
1. One is to build a better understanding of modern leather composition.
2. The second is to create a reference library of modern leather samples and recipe profiles.
SLTC has invited members with relevant experience to join the group and contribute their knowledge. The deadline to express interest is 31 December 2025.
Tanneries are also being asked to help by providing sample leathers along with their composition details. SLTC has assured contributors that all proprietary information will be protected.
This collaboration is being positioned as more than a research exercise. It is about protecting leather heritage while preparing the industry for the future.
