Paris to host the Sustainable Leather Forum on September 8

The leather industry’s annual Sustainable Leather Forum will take place on September 8 at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris. Organized by Alliance France Cuir, this seventh edition will focus on water as its central theme, guiding the day’s discussions and conferences.

Speakers from the Centre d’études de la mer, WWF, the International Council of Tanners, tannery solutions company Qualus, and Tanneries Haas will address water management and conservation issues.

“Among the challenges facing the industry, water scarcity in particular means we need to change our practices,” said Christophe Dehard, president of Alliance France Cuir. “We need to rethink the way we use water, from the field to the finished product. The entire leather value chain is concerned.”

Beyond water, the forum will also explore topics including crocodile farming, recycling unsold products, eco-design in footwear and leather goods, social and environmental responsibility in the sneaker sector, traceability in the leather industry, and the impact of agricultural changes on leather production.

Confirmed speakers include representatives from the International Crocodile Breeders Association, Atelier des Matières, Textile Exchange, Les Cuirs de l’Ouest, Refashion, and Veja. Other contributors will include d’Authenticae, La Belle Empreinte, Carbonfact, Spin 360, Textile Genesis, Trustrace, and Planet-Score.

“We have designed the SLF as a forum for dialogue to promote best practices, encourage reflection, and support companies in the concrete implementation of social and environmental responsibility,” explained Marc Brunel, general manager of Alliance France Cuir. He emphasized that the event also aims to maintain momentum for the industry’s long-term transformation.

Bringing together the various federations of the French leather sector, Alliance France Cuir represents around 12,800 companies, generating 133,000 jobs and €25 billion in revenue, with the majority of this revenue coming from exports.