WE NEED 60 MILLION ANIMAL SKINS EVERY YEAR

WE NEED 60 MILLION ANIMAL SKINS EVERY YEAR”

Organized by Ege University Faculty of Engineering Leather Engineering Department “7. Congress of Innovative Approaches in Leather Industry” (Innovative Aspects For Leather Industry – IAFLI) it was held at Izmir Chamber of Commerce.

Izmir Free Zone (İZBAŞ) was among the corporate supporters of the congress Gustavo Gonzalez-Quıjano, Secretary General of the Confederation of European Leather Manufacturers (COTANCE) many academicians and professionals from Türkiye and abroad attended.

“A SECTOR WITH HIGH ADDED VALUE”

Making a speech at the opening of the congress, Eyüp Sevimli, Chairman of the Board the Aegean Region Leather Industrialists Association (EGEDERİDER) and Izmir Free Zone (İZBAŞ), gave striking messages about the current situation and future vision of the Turkish leather industry.

Pointing out that the sector is a high value-added and labor-intensive sector, Sevimli said; stated that reasons such as wrong agricultural and animal husbandry policies and the widespread use of the material called artificial leather have negatively affected the sector.

The loss of momentum in the sector, which had its golden age in the 80s, 90s and 2000s, Eyüp Sevimli noted that the most important factor is the decrease in animal existence in Türkiye emphasized that the number of domestic animals must be increased in order for the sector to have a say in production and exports again.

ANNUAL NEED IS 60 MILLION LEATHER

EGEDERİDER AND İZBAŞ Chairman of the Board Sevimli made the following evaluation:

“As the Turkish leather industry, we need approximately 60 million pieces of cattle and sheep rawhide every year. In order not to lose our export markets, we need quality raw materials and high production capacities.

Although we are one of the world's leading countries in leather processing, we lag behind the production amounts of our competitors, Italy, India, Brazil and African countries. Aside from the decrease in rawhide availability; We witness that the number of leather enterprises in our country is decreasing every year due to factors such as increasing input and production costs of the leather processing sector, the Russia-Ukraine war, pandemic and earthquake. For example, while the number of leather businesses clustered in the Izmir Free Zone was around 200 30 years ago, it has decreased to 30 today.”

“WE NEED YOUNG BRAINS”

Adding that the sector will export 2 billion 57 million dollars in 2022 and 1.6 billion dollars in the first 10 months of this year, Eyüp Sevimli reminded that Türkiye is still among the important supplier countries of Europe in apparel and shoes.

IAFLI Congress also witnessed messages pointing out the importance of trained workforce in the sector. EGEDERİDER President Eyüp Sevimli informed that this problem, which is experienced in almost every sector, also affects the leather industry greatly, and added that the sector needs young and creative minds not only at the production point, but also in terms of fashion and design.

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO DESERVE”

Eyüp Sevimli made the following evaluation:

“Today, the world's most highly industrialized countries are of course, it is not a coincidence that they are 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.”

After the opening speeches, IAFLI Organizing Board Chairman and Ege University Leather Engineering Department Head Prof. Dr. Bahri Başaran gave a plaque of appreciation to Eyüp Sevimli for his contributions to the congress.