Alliance France Cuir, the National Leather Council of the French Leather Industry: “In 2023, the continued dynamism of the luxury goods sector kept part of the sector afloat. Strong export momentum was confirmed for French leather goods manufacturers.”
As Magazine Leather publishing, our interview with France “ALLIANCE FRANCE CUIR” national leather council on “FRANCE LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS AND SUSTAINABILITY”
First of all, we would like to know the organization ALLIANCE FRANCE CUIR?
Alliance France Cuir (formerly known as Conseil National du Cuir, the National Leather Council) is the confederation that energises and coordinates the commitments of the 21 federations – from leather producers to users, from manufacturers to the distribution of leather – that share the same passion for leather and its excellent craftsmanship. Since 1948, it has been supporting the French Leather Industry in addressing its challenges and enhancing its reputation.
What would you like to say about the SUSTAINABLE LEATHER FORUM, which will be organized for the 6th time this year on sustainability?
The Sustainable Leather Forum is the first international event dedicated to CSR in the leather industries. Taking place in the heart of Paris, it brings together over 400 international participants – companies in the sector, major fashion and design groups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), intermediate-sized enterprises (ETIs), institutions, opinion leaders and research firms – to discuss social, environmental and economic issues.
Participants come to SLF to:
- ENRICH themselves with keynotes, roundtable discussions, and testimonials on CSR issues
- EXCHANGE during networking opportunities
- DISCOVER services that address CSR challenges from a selection of exhibitors
- CREATE privileged connections with distinguished guests
This year, the Sustainable Leather Forum will take place at La Maison de la Chimie on September 9th in Paris. International companies and experts will speak through roundtable discussions and keynotes on the following topics:
- Evolution of livestock farming, traceability, deforestation, challenges in leather and hide trading
- French tanning and leather industry looking towards the future
- Progress of studies on the environmental footprint of leather
- CSR framework for the French leather goods industry
- Questions related to the use of plastics in fashion and sports: environment, recycling, innovation
- Implementation of CSR in companies
Three new additions complement the SLF offerings:
- “15 minutes to pitch”: a 15-minute presentation slot in front of a qualified audience exclusively reserved for companies wishing to speak on a defined and validated topic with the organizing committee
- An additional day exclusively online to extend BtoB exchanges on September 10
- A gala dinner to conclude this exceptional day on September 9 in the evening.
To follow the program updates and confirmed speakers, we invite everyone interested to visit our website: www.slf-paris.com
Can everyone participate in the sustainability form?
Anyone interested in CSR initiatives within the leather, fashion, luxury, and design industries is invited to participate in the SLF. Participation can take the form of speaking engagements as speakers or exhibitors, or simply as interested visitors seeking information. Because the SLF is a unique platform for sharing best practices and a key source of information to enrich companies’ CSR strategies.
As you know as your activities in the footwear sector, do you have any activities as ALLIANCE FRANCE CUIR with the entry into force of the “Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products” (ESPR) in the last European Parliament? And what do you think about this issue?
We are currently analysing the “Eco-design Regulation for Sustainable Products » impact on leather goods. Nevertheless, it may seem that the ongoing French legislation against waste and to promote circular economy covers a major part of what is due by the European regulation proposal.
ALLIANCE FRANCE CUIR, Do you participate in international fairs in the leather and leather products sector?
Alliance France Cuir is represented at a number of international trade fairs in the leather and leather goods sector: Première Vision Paris, International Agricultural Show, in France, as well as several trade fairs in Asia APLF and ACLE by APLF Ltd, a joint-venture between the organizer Informa Markets Asia and SIC SA, the commercial company originating from the French Leather Industry, a subsidiary of AFCuir.
How do you evaluate the French leather industry in terms of domestic and international markets?
In 2023, the continued dynamism of the luxury goods sector sustained part of the industry. The strong export momentum was confirmed for French leather goods manufacturers. In 2023, French international sales rose by +6% in value (€19 billion), driven by leather goods (+5%) and footwear (+9%). Interest in French leather products remains strong, particularly in China (+9%) which takes back the lead in the ranking of France’s best customers (€2.6 billion). Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea are also recording growth in their imports of French leather products with respectively +28%, +17% and +16% between 2022 and 2023. The European market also remains important, accounting for 41% of French exports.The French leather industry’s foreign trade balance is in surplus in 2023 compared to 2022, to the order of €6 billion. Finally, the slowdown in domestic demand due to inflation had a negative impact on imports from Asia (-13% for China and -12% for India). By way of example, average customs import prices rose by +12% for shoes, and +26% for leather handbags in 2023, providing a slight boost and good news for Made in France products.
For your information, Alliance France Cuir has an Economic Observatory responsible for producing and disseminating studies and statistics on the activities of the Leather industry.
It conducts industry surveys in the sectors of Raw Hides and Skins, Tanning, Leather Goods, and Footwear. All data collected through these surveys, as well as data compiled from other sources on foreign trade and global exchanges in particular, are analyzed and disseminated in several publications:
- Annual Economic Report
- Brochure on global trade and country fact sheets
- Brochure on foreign trade and monographs
- Monthly economic outlook notes
- Activity monographs and sector fact sheets
What would you like to say about Artificial Intelligence and technology for the leather and footwear industry, tanneries, automation and technologies?
Although the leather industry is often associated with tradition, innovation also lies at the heart of its expertise (3D design, robotization, AI, etc.). To support these advancements, digital transition and digitalization have become major challenges for all companies in the sector. Craftsmanship and digitalization can complement each other and one can serve the other. A good example is in podiatry where forms can be created using a 3D printer, or with traceability machines using laser marking developed and implemented in certain abattoirs and tanneries to ensure the traceability of hides from origin to finished products.
Does ALLIANCE FRANCE CUIR do international projects academically?
No, we do not have any academic projects abroad as Alliance France Cuir. However, training centers in our sector have exchanges with foreign institutions. In France, we have 165 training schools. Among them, ITECH, based in Lyon, trains the engineers of tomorrow in the leather industry. Graduates are subsequently hired by tanneries or leather goods companies.
Do you have cooperation and activities with universities for international sector employees? (Regarding trained qualified personnel and qualified personnel)
The technical center of our French leather industry – CTC – offers a wide range of training courses in France as well as abroad for all professionals.
Finally, what would you like to say to people who are committed to the profession?
Leather professions are numerous and rich, and possess a rare singularity because they share an exceptional material. Craftsmanship, industrial performance, research & innovation and sustainable development all ensure a promising future for leather. The industry contributes to the creation of tomorrow’s fashion and design. France excels in this field, with existing training courses and companies providing a range of attractive and progressive professions. With sustainability and repairability becoming increasingly important, leather appears to be the material that best addresses these challenges. Our industry still has a bright future ahead and so do its collaborators!
