Call for strong policy as Italy’s leather technology sector falls 11% in 2025

Italy’s leather, footwear, and leather goods technology industry contracted by 11% in 2025, marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to industry association Assomac (the National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods, and Tanning Technology), which warned that coordinated industrial action will be critical to restoring competitiveness.

Speaking at the Assomac General Assembly in Milan, President Mauro Bergozza said, "With a permanent supply chain table, targeted investments, and a system vision, Made in Italy can return to a leading part of global markets."

The association said sector production was estimated at €512 million in 2025 after a 12% decline in 2024. While exports remain the industry's main strength, performance weakened across most machinery segments. Tanning machinery recorded the sharpest fall, down 24.49%, followed by leather goods machinery (9.80%) and footwear machinery (4.08%). The spare parts and maintenance business remained broadly stable.

Assomac noted that Italy maintained its position as the world's second-largest exporter of leather industry technology, accounting for 27% of global exports in 2025, behind China, which increased its share to 49%. While China continues to benefit from large-scale manufacturing and significant public support, Italy has retained its leadership in high-value technology segments by focusing on quality, innovation, and premium manufacturing.

To strengthen the sector's long-term outlook, Assomac called for a permanent supply chain forum bringing together technology suppliers, material producers, and manufacturers. The association also urged greater support for international market development, industrial partnerships, generational succession, trade fair promotion, and digital transformation, saying closer collaboration across the leather value chain will be essential to safeguard Italy's manufacturing leadership.