Ege University, Leather Engineering Department celebrated its 40th anniversary and organized the 7th IAFLI congress.
International IAFLI Congress organized its 7th edition with the theme “Innovative Aspects for Leather Industry”. At the congress, where important speakers from the industry took part, innovative sustainable solutions in leather tanning were presented.
IAFLI congress, which is among the important events where the sustainability approaches of the global leather industry and the steps taken in this regard will direct the industry, has completed its 7th Edition. Magazine Leather publishing, touching the leather in the global leather industry, we gained impressions from this important congress with our slogan “All about leather”. Speakers from the world’s best leather engineering departments attended the congress, which is held every two years. As proof that leather is a proven science, the reactions it undergoes during tanning, a more sustainable industry, post-Covid supply chain and Sustainability issues have also come to the fore.
Turkey Ege University, Faculty of Engineering – Leather Engineering Department organized the IAFLI congress, Institute of Economic Development and Social Research (IKSAD), National Research and Development Institute for Textiles and Leather (INCDTP), Leather and Footwear Research Institute (ICPI), Universitatea Tehnica Gheorghe Asachi (IASI), Tomas Bata University Institute (TBU), African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), and sponsored by STAHL, the world’s leading Chemistry and Research and Development company, the congress was attended by COTANCE, TFL, Eurofins, India-based Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) speakers made their presentations. The congress was followed both online and speakers from the global industry participated online and made their presentations.
7th IAFLI Congress was held at Türkiye Izmir Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of the IAFLI Organizing Board and President of the Ege University Institute of Graduate School of Natural and Applied Prof. Dr. Bahri BASARAN, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Region Leather Industrialists Association (EGEDERİDER) and Izmir Free Zone (IZBAS) Eyüp SEVIMLI, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Leather and Leather Products Exporters Association (EIB) Halil GUNDOĞDU, President of the Institute of Economic Development and Social Research (IKSAD) Dr. Mustafa Latif EMEK Opening speeches were made and Gustavo Gonzalez-QUIJANO, Secretary General of the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE), and then a gala was held on the evening of the first day, accompanied by Turkish food delicacies and music, with speakers who will present at the congress. The congress was completed with the presentations of the second day and a trip to Turkey, Canakkale-Gallipoli, within the scope of the Social Cultural Program on the third day.
Excerpts from the opening speeches
Eyüp SEVIMLI, President of the Aegean Leather Industrialists Association (EGEDERİDER), said, “Of course, it is not a coincidence that the most highly industrialized countries in the world today are also the most successful countries in the world in vocational education. As leather industrialists, we show all kinds of support and dedication to ensure that these young people love our industry and their profession, and we will continue to do so. Likewise, the leather industry, which is among the most important components of the world fashion industry, needs the creativity and efforts of our young minds in this field.” said.
Chairman of the IAFLI Organizing Board and President of the Ege University Institute of Graduate School of Natural and Applied Prof. Dr. Bahri BASARAN said, “Emphasizing the importance of the congress in the global leather industry, it is important for our country to provide a comprehensive leather engineering education and in this sense, the organization of the international congress by Ege University Leather Engineering.” said.
Gustavo Gonzalez-QUIJANO, Secretary General of the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE), said: “Among the current issues of the global leather industry, Sustainability has an important place in the Iafli congress. In this context, presentations are important in terms of leather engineering.” said.
Important topics were included in the congress
In the presentations, where sustainability was the main theme, the stage of the leather tanning process, the materials and chemicals used in this stage, and the chemicals used as part of the process were presented, covering issues that are important both in terms of sustainable leather quality and the environment. Among the presentations, the first speaker, COTANCE-Gustavo Gonzalez, informed us about the requirements of the EU legislation on Deforestation directed to the Leather sector and in terms of sustainability.
Among the technical topics, Sanjoy BASU from STAHL shared technical information in his presentation on Bisphenols and Retanning solutions, while Sonia ZAPTTA gave information under the title ‘High Performance Alternative to Traditional Water-Based Lacquers’. Markus HESS from TFL talked about Bisphenols and Sintans and Simone TEMPESTI gave details about Enzymatic Beamhouse Technology.
Georgina MAWER and Katrina PRIOR from Eurofins-BLC covered the topic Sustainable Practices and Chemical management systems.
Sustainable Leather Processing in Tanning Technologies
In the session held under the direction of Dr. Carmen GAIDAU, Stelica made CRISTEA’s presentation on Biopesticide Prototypes.
Esra SUNERLI TOPAN from Usak University made a presentation on Thermophysiological Comfort Properties of Leather Clothing and Cemile Ceren KAHRAMAN made a presentation on the Use of Olive Pomace Waste in Leather Dyeing Process.
Cultural Heritage in the Leather Industry
Within the scope of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Turkey, Prof. Dr. Metin EKICI gave a speech on keeping the crafts alive within the developing technology and the presentation of “Leather Badarna Application on Ship Ropes”, which we had previously interviewed with Murat GUNU in the Magazine Leather publication, took place. IAFLI President Prof. Dr. Bahri BASARAN presented the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Honorary Award to Murat GUNU.
Technical Details on the Management of Components of Leather Waste
Sustainable treatment technologies, evaluation and transformation of chrome shavings were included in the presentations, respectively, in general, the effects of the properties of the components formed from leather waste, the leather industry, Collagen-Gelatin, Biomaterials, silk Fibroin, the composition of pomegranate peel in leather tanning, the development of composites with synthetic wastes, chromium from tannery wastewater. removal, environmental treatment solutions, shrimp shells in the preservation of goat skin, dye removal from tannery wastewater, use of oak bark, analysis of leather-shoe industry wastes, extraction of polyphenols and other active substances from coffee wastes and application in leather processing, creation of recycled products by processing leather wastes, General technical information was included in the presentations regarding the preservation and restoration of leather.
