Italian leather chemical company Sommer made its first appearance at the 39th India International Leather Fair (IILF) 2026 despite being active in the Indian market for nearly 25 years.
The move marks a shift in how the 65 year old family owned company is engaging with India. For decades, Sommer operated quietly through partnerships, staying away from exhibitions and public brand building.
That approach is now changing.
The shift follows a generational transition within the Sommer family. Leadership has moved to the next generation, led by Liliane Sommer, with a renewed focus on visibility, storytelling and direct engagement with customers.
“We are one of the few companies in Italy still owned by the original family since 1958 & the market does not know this story.”
– Ivan Ceretta, Executive Director, Sommer S.p.A.
Sommer describes itself as a blend of German discipline and thinking with Italian craftsmanship. While the family roots are German, manufacturing and technical operations are based in Italy.
At a time when many European family run chemical firms are being acquired by investor groups, Sommer is highlighting continuity, independence and legacy as part of its identity.
India now plays a central role in that strategy.
The company has rolled out a multi region approach covering east, north and south India.
In Kolkata, Sommer has returned to reconnect with a market it had reduced focus on in earlier years. In Kanpur, the company is expanding its engagement with large tanning houses with a structured growth plan over the next 2 to 3 years.
In South India, Sommer is targeting performance leather segments as global demand shifts toward materials that combine leather with synthetic and textile components. The company says modern leather must match the performance of synthetics while keeping the look and feel of leather.
“We can pass high-performance tests without sacrificing the look of leather & we completely enhance it.”
– Ivan Ceretta, Executive Director, Sommer S.p.A.
Logistics has emerged as a key pillar of Sommer’s India operations. After COVID related disruptions pushed shipping lead times from around 50 days to as high as 120 days, the company reworked its supply model.
Sommer invested in 2 Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) warehouses in India and stocked roughly 12 containers locally. This has reduced delivery timelines to about 1 week.
The company says this approach also helps customers manage currency volatility. Instead of waiting 70 to 90 days and worrying about euro fluctuations, customers can now order smaller quantities on a just in time basis with euro in and euro out pricing.
Sommer’s product range includes pigments, dyes and finishing systems used across leathers for automotive upholstery, footwear, garments and goods. Colour and finishing solutions remain a core focus, with leather upgradation systems forming a significant share of its business.
“We are known for colour consistency & resistance. Our strength is meeting & going beyond performance requirements.”
– Ivan Ceretta, Executive Director, Sommer S.p.A.
According to Ivan, automotive upholstery currently leads demand, followed by footwear and leather goods. These segments prioritise consistency and data driven quality control, areas where Sommer sees strong alignment with its technical strengths.
The company is also highlighting recycled pigments and low pollution solutions as part of its sustainability-led product development.
Sommer’s message to Indian tanners and manufacturers is direct. Competing only on price limits long term growth. Consistency, quality and performance create lasting value.
“Quality always pays. If you guarantee quality, you will grow.”
– Ivan Ceretta, Executive Director, Sommer S.p.A.
After 25 years in India, Sommer says it is now repositioning itself from a quiet supplier to a visible technology partner as it deepens its engagement with the Indian leather industry.
To learn more about Sommer or to get in touch with their team, visit Sommer or email them at export@sommer-spa.com
