Local identities & excellences. An industrial network to re-produce uniqueness through waste reutilization

The aim of this project is a study of feasibility that allows to start up the experimentation and the consequent introduction of some innovative methodologies in the managing of the leather production waste, the waste produced during the cutting process. The leather production sector, takes on great importance in the Italian economy. More than 1/4 of the national production and about 1/5 of the whole E.U. production is made in Tuscany. For this reason, our study will be based on the Santa Croce sull’Arno leather district and will theorise some guidelines that can also be adapted to other districts. The tanning industry gives a high “added value” material to a series of initial production chain, in particular in the fashion and design sectors (interior design, transportation design). The skins waste material is today considered a special waste according to the CER 04 01 08/09 codes. This waste is mainly produced during the leather cut process and at the moment it is disposed of in different ways. The present study is aimed to make the leather production waste a secondary raw material for new materials/products, representative of a local identity, to put onto the market and to get to a “zero waste” production chain cycle.