According to the Lineapelle, Empathy is the stylistic common denominator for Spring Summer 2019 leather trends. A research journey exploring materials, colours and surfaces captures the creative necessity to “dress nature in technology, finding new dimensions in the desire to simplify, to emphasize softness, to accentuate shine, to succeed in building a bridge between the naturalness of the product and the digital world, between tactile emotions and technology, elegance and athleisure. Spring Summer 2019 leather trends will be colorful, but muted by the alternation of bold and neutral tones, evolving into color ranges without geographic or cultural borders.

THE ITALIAN LEATHER INDUSTRY IN 2019 : EXCELLENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY, LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION

The Italian leather industry is developing its sustainability mission, promoting its emphasis on continuous innovation and consolidating the strength of its leadership in Europe and abroad.

LEATHER INDUSTRY BY THE  NUMBERS

Over 1,200 companies employing more than 17,500 employees. An annual turnover of about 5 billion euros. Exports in excess of 3.8 billion euros. The Italian leather industry is a district-based model that creates value on the economic, social and cultural levels.

ITALY AS A EUROPEAN LEADER

The Italian leather industry is the absolute leader in Europe. 65% of the value of European leather production is from Italy, and Italy accounts for 68% of total exports to countries outside the EU. It’s a leadership that is reflected on a global level, with a 19% share of the value of world production and 26% as regards exports.

SUSTAINABLE EXCELLENCE

For the Italian leather industry, sustainability is an integral part of our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. In 2012 the impact of sustainability on the annual turnover in the sector was 1.9%, while in 2016 (the latest available figure) it had risen to 4.4%. Environmental operational costs account for 85% of these investments: treatment of wastewater, energy efficiency, gaseous emissions and chemicals management.

INNOVATION IN THE LEATHER INDUSTRY

The Italian leather industry is investing to innovate and, for all companies, applied research has become a crucial strategic tool for demonstrating and consolidating their leadership. Italian tanneries are equipped with internal laboratories and offer exemplary cases of innovative experimentation linked to the product, the process and to the automation promoted by the Industry 4.0 Plan.

Source: LineaPelle