The Italian tanning industry is historically considered a world leader in terms of value (65% at EU level, 23% of the total world), and level of internationalization, due to the high technological and qualitative development, the strong environmental commitment and the innovative capacity in terms of stylistic design.
Italian tanning has always been a typical example of the success of the district model that traditionally characterizes a significant part of the national manufacturing economy.
Specifically, there are three tanning districts in Italy:

• Veneto District, home to one of the largest tanning districts in the world, as well as the most important in Italy for production and number of employees. It includes Arzignano and the Chiampo area from Crespadoro to Montebello, from Montorso to Zermeghedo up to Montecchio Maggiore.
  In 1855, after a long period of domination of the silkworm spinning mills and breeding, there were references to the importance of the tanneries, about twenty, concentrated around Bassano del Grappa. The real birth of the industry takes place after the First World War, when Asian competition and the use of synthetic fibers put the yarn sector in crisis and pushed towards reconversion.
  This district is characterized by the simultaneous presence of medium-small companies and large avant-garde industrial groups, and also by the specialization in medium-large bovine leathers which are mainly destined for the automotive, furniture, footwear and leather goods sectors.

• Tuscan District, which includes the municipalities of S. Croce sull’Arno, Bientina, Castelfranco di Sotto, Montopoli Val d’Arno, San Miniato, Santa Maria a Monte in the province of Pisa and Fucecchio in the province of Florence.
  The first processing dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, but a consistent development starts only from the 1950s / 1960s, parallel to the decline of agriculture.
  Local tanneries, whose total turnover currently accounts for 28% of the national total, are characterized by the high degree of craftsmanship and flexibility of their production, primarily intended for high fashion. In this district, the processes mainly concern medium and small size bovine hides, with a good percentage of goat skins as well.

• Campano District, specialized in the tanning of small, sheep and goat skins, for clothing, footwear and leather goods. The companies are mainly located in the area of ​​Solofra (Avellino), Montoro Inferiore, Montoro Superiore and Serino, near Avellino, with some important presences also in the surroundings of Naples (Arzano, Casandrino, Casoria). Initially limited to the upper destination, it expanded and diversified with clothing, which in recent years returned to footwear and leather goods. The first settlements date back to the Bronze Age, but the great growth is after World War II. The value of Campania leather production is currently equal to 6% of the national total.

But how do the tanneries work? Where does the leather processing cycle start and how does it develop?
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(Source UNIC)

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