“The tanneries are not just a leather production facility, they are a transformation facility”
Dr. Dietrich Tegtmeyer
“The use of bio carbon in the leather industry reflects sustainability.”
Markus Hess
On the scientific importance of sustainable leather in the circular economy, LWG Chemical committee chair and TFL global business development industry relations head Dr. Dietrich Tegtmeyer and TFL global product manager Markus Hess took part in the organization led by the Turkish leather technologists, technicians and chemists association (DETEK).
What does “sustainability” mean?
“Meeting the needs of future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.”



Sustainability is one of the priority agenda items of today’s world. The rapid depletion of natural resources and the use of fossil fuels, the increase in environmental and social problems made it necessary for companies to focus on sustainability issues. In addition, sustainability is important because it can positively affect the financial performance and profitability of companies.
TFL global product manager Markus Hess, who participated as a speaker at the Turkish leather technologists, technicians and chemists’ association (DETEK), which organizes a conference on “understanding sustainability in the leather industry”, said, “The main difference between biocarbon and fossil carbon is that bio carbon is renewable, whereas fossil carbon is not renewable. . Raw leather and recycled leather are a sustainable product. The sustainability of the materials we use from the raw form to the finished product is also offered to us to a great extent.”

Markus continued his words by giving important information at the conference. “In terms of sustainability, it is necessary to focus on bio-based products in the cyclical process of rapid consumption of fossil resources in order to meet the needs of the rising human population among the countries where the global limit is the day when the world consumes 1 year natural resources. The chemicals made are very important for the future of our world.” Adding to his words, he also emphasized the carbon footprint of leather.
TFL’s head of global business development industry relations, who attended the event as a speaker, Dr. “The tanneries are not just a leather production facility, they are a transformation facility,” Dietrich Tegtmeyer said. He continued by saying, “In order to utilize the shaving waste in the tannery, the waste treatment facility established next to the tannery also provides added value to the transformation in the tannery.” said.

In Tegtmeyer meating, which describes the chemical process in numbers, we use the fat ratios, protein waste values and the wastes of the production by providing added value as a circular economy.
Bekir Burak Uyguner, President of the Turkish Leather Industrialists Association and President of the International Council of Tanners (ICT), participated in the organization with the participation of companies, important names and students from the sector.