The 8th International IAFLI Congress, which promotes academic and industrial collaborations in the leather sector, will be held on November 6–7, 2025, at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce. The event, to be attended by global participants, will share comprehensive scientific research and outcomes on sectoral sustainability and innovation.
One of the most important international academic events in the leather industry, the 8th IAFLI Congress will take place in Izmir on November 6–7, 2025. The congress will be held at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Conference Hall and will host scientists, industry representatives, and researchers from Turkey and around the world.
While the preparatory work for the IAFLI Congress is being carried out by the Organizing Committee, which includes academics from the Department of Leather Engineering at Ege University, it will be held under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Bahri Başaran in cooperation with the Institute of Economic Development and Social Research (IKSAD). At the event, which draws attention to international collaborations, institutions such as INCDTP (Romania), ICPI (Romania), Universitatea Tehnica Gheorghe Asachi (Romania), Tomas Bata University (Czech Republic), Africa Leather and Leather Product Institute (ALLPI), Central Leather Research Institute (India), and Kulna University of Engineering and Technology (Bangladesh) will provide academic contributions.
In addition to STAHL, one of the world’s leading companies in chemical technology and R&D, which will be the Main Sponsor of the congress, the company also provided technical support in the transfer of innovative technologies in leather production. Many private and corporate sector organizations have also participated in our Congress for sharing technological innovations. Additionally, important names such as Cotance Secretary General Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano have contributed to the current agenda of the congress.
As the media sponsor of the congress, Magazine Leather Publishing followed and communicated to the target audience the strategy-focused sessions of prominent speakers in the sector.
At IAFLI, held every two years, expert academics will once again share their studies and present papers on current topics, just like in previous congresses. Selected papers will be published in SCI-indexed journals. As Magazine Leather, our promotional efforts for IAFLI’s widespread impact will continue.
In 2023, IAFLI featured 55 oral and 5 poster presentations. These were accessible both in-person and on online platforms. The hybrid format will be preserved in the 8th congress as well, ensuring global participant access.
In addition to key industry institutions such as the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association, Aegean Exporters’ Associations, Turkish Leather Industrialists’ Association, Turkish Leather Foundation, İDESBAŞ, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association, Izmir Chamber of Commerce, and Leather Organized Industrial Zones, companies like Arba Kimya, Erdoğan Deri, Deri 2000, Akaylar Deri, and United Chemicals are also supporting the congress.
The congress is not only an academic event but also a platform where sectoral collaborations are fostered. Just as trade fairs are important for commercial partnerships, congresses are at the heart of R&D and academic solidarity. In this period when leather production is shaped by technological developments, congresses provide scientific support to sectoral sustainability goals.
This scientific journey, which began in Izmir in 2011, has now exceeded regional borders and turned into an organization with participation from four continents. The IAFLI Congress, with participation from nearly 40 countries from America to Southeast Asia, Europe to Africa, is increasing its impact and recognition on a global scale.
Focusing on sustainability in the leather industry and aiming to develop innovative and competitive solutions against substitute products, IAFLI 2025 invites global stakeholders to Izmir on November 6–7.
