16th National Leather Science and Tech Conference Held in China

The 16th National Leather Science and Technology Conference and the 27th Annual Meeting of the China Leather Science and Technology Commission of CLIA were successfully held in Jinan, Shandong Province, from July 25 to 26, bringing together more than 300 representatives from China’s leather science, technology, academic and industrial communities.

The conference was hosted by the Faculty of Light Industry of Qilu University of Technology and jointly organized by the China Leather Science and Technology Commission of CLIA, China Leather Chemical Commission of CLIA, and the Fine Chemical Committee of the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China.

Held under the theme “Digitalization, Quality, Green Development and Innovation: A Low-Carbon Path to the Future”, the conference provided a platform for examining the latest scientific developments, technological challenges and future opportunities across the leather value chain.

The event was regarded as one of the largest national leather science and technology conferences held in recent years, reflecting the industry’s growing emphasis on technological innovation, green transformation and high-quality development.

Focus on green and intelligent transformation

The conference program included six keynote presentations, 32 oral presentations and 92 poster papers, covering both fundamental research and practical industrial applications.

Among the key presentations was a discussion on scientific and technological trends for the green and high quality development of the tanning industry. Other keynote topics included the economic performance and outlook of the leather industry, advanced functional leather materials, conservation and restoration of leather cultural relics, functionalization of hide and leather coatings, and the high value non tanning utilization of raw hides and skins through textile collagen fibers.

Broad range of technical discussions

The 32 oral presentations covered several critical areas of leather science and technology. These included fundamental leather science, green tanning technologies, intelligent manufacturing, leather chemicals, collagen-based functional materials, analytical and testing technologies, industry standards, pollution control, solid waste resource utilization and innovative leather product design.

A key feature of the conference was its effort to strengthen the connection between laboratory research and industrial application. Researchers and industry representatives discussed how emerging scientific findings could be translated into commercially viable technologies and solutions.

The discussions also highlighted the increasing importance of low carbon production, resource efficiency and value added utilization of leather industry by-products. Developments in biobased materials, functional materials, energy conservation, carbon reduction and AI enabled technologies were among the areas identified as having potential to shape the industry’s future.

Stronger industry academia collaboration

The conference provided opportunities for interaction among universities, research institutions and enterprises, encouraging greater collaboration across different stages of the leather value chain.

At the closing ceremony, Chen Zhanguang, Vice Chairman of CLIA, said the conference had generated practical ideas and solutions addressing major industry challenges. He highlighted discussions ranging from biobased and functional materials to energy and carbon reduction, AI enabled wearable products, ergonomics and the expansion of application scenarios.

The conference also underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between upstream and downstream industries and improving integration among industry, academia and research institutions to accelerate technological innovation and commercialization.

Next conference to be held in Xi’an

The conference concluded on July 26 following two days of technical sessions and discussions. It was announced that the 17th National Leather Science and Technology Conference will be held in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in 2028, hosted by Shaanxi University of Science & Technology.