CICB Sustainability
Forum at Fimec

The programme presented inspiring and innovative talks, offering essential insights for those following the changes in the industry. On stage, a number of experts shared their knowledge and experience:

Ricardo Andrade, Sustainability Consultant at CICB, spoke on the topic ‘CICB Raw Material Guide: Standards and Best Practices for Monitoring and Traceability of Bovine Hides in the Leather Chain’. The CICB Raw Material Guide is a key publication to strengthen traceability and governance in the leather supply chain in Brazil. The guide is an important step towards increasingly transparent and responsible production. Developed through collaboration between member companies and the Working Group on Traceability, the guide collects and systematises best practice for monitoring raw material, offering detailed guidance on the collection and management of cowhide data at all stages of production. More than a technical reference, the guide reaffirms the sector’s active role in promoting sustainability, traceability and the international reputation of Brazilian leather.

Elena Barone, the Italian Head of Consulting at SPIN 360, presented a global perspective on reducing environmental impact in the tanning industry entitled ‘Global Tanneries: Experiences in environmental data-driven sustainability strategies’. Collaboration between the different segments of the supply chain was one of the highlights, reinforcing the importance of integrated solutions to measure and improve environmental performance. The event offered an afternoon of strategic reflections and relevant insights for the future of the sector.

Direct experience in the field was covered by Kim Sena, Director of Sustainability at JBS Couros. The talk addressed the progress and challenges of ‘Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) at JBS Couros’ as a strategic tool to improve traceability, mitigate environmental impacts and respond to global market demands. The discussion offered insights into how LCA contributes to more transparent and sustainable production chains, strengthening the position of leather as a material with a low environmental impact. The advantages of this approach in enhancing the competitiveness of the sector were also highlighted.

On the more technical front, Michael Costello, ESG Director at Stahl, speaking on ‘The Chemical Contribution: How the chemical industry is reducing the environmental footprint of leather’, highlighted his company’s experience in achieving ESG leadership in the industry and fostering cooperation between various stakeholders. It was a relevant and interesting talk on sustainable development for companies, brands, industry associations, NGOs and universities.

Ricardo Andrade was also the moderator on the panel for ‘The Future of the Sector and Life Cycle Assessment in Leather’, which focused on how the importance of LCA will grow further in the coming years, posing new challenges to material suppliers. “In order for life cycle assessments to be carried out at the stages after leather processing, such as production and consumption, all materials used in a product must also undergo specific assessments. This means that the entire production and industrial ecosystem is involved and we have to be ready for this moment,” said Ricardo Andrade.

The full content of the Forum is available on Brazilian Leather’s YouTube channel.