Joan Carles Castell: leather is the material of the future

For more than a year, Joan Carles Castell has chaired the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies, better known as IULTCS, the international body that brings together national chemical tanning associations and promotes cooperation and the exchange of technical and scientific knowledge among its members. An activity that culminates in the organization of the International Congress dedicated to the presentation of the latest innovations in the industry, which is held every two years in a different country. The last one was held in Chengdu, China, in 2023. The next one will be in Europe, specifically in Lyon, France, in September 2025.

One year into your term as IULTCS chairman, what is your assessment?

“All objectives were achieved successfully thanks to the support of a great team that committed to help IULTCS towards a more dynamic institution and reviewing most of the activities to become more relevant for the leather industry. Let’s summarize:

* Update and approval of revised Statutes by the Assembly.

* Renovation of the commission chairmen.

* Creation of the new Sustainability Commission.

* IULTCS reviewed with ISO the roles and procedures for the standardization of test methods on leather and chemicals.

* Revision of the Vienna Agreement between ISO and CEN and the parallel working commissions for the standardization of test methos on leather and chemicals.

* Reinforce communication between the IULTCS members and launch of the ‘Newsleather’.

* During 2024 we gladly welcome two new prestigious supporting members recognizing and enhancing the IULTCS activities and the importance of science and technology through the leather value chain”.

What are the main goals for 2025?

 “Always, the main objective of IULTCS is to be a forum to exchange technical knowledge to sustain the leather industry with the most advanced science and technology. 2025 is plenty of challenges for the leather industry requiring technical support and increasing demands to revise and update best practices in production, environment, safety, traceability among many others. Additionally, leather is threatened with other materials claiming they are more natural and environmentally friendly.

Each of the IULTCS commission actively works towards those goals and update their activities in every area. The new chairmen already started with the review of their members representing all of the Associations and during their global meetings each one informs on specific issues affecting their local tanneries and leather industry.

In 2024 we created the Sustainability Commission (IUS) with the mission of exchanging relevant data and information from advanced studies and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) applied to the leather industries. It is our goal the success of this commission.

The role of the Committee Manager of the ISO/IULTCS is crucial for coordinating and leading the standard development of test methos for leather at a global level. This function is going to be included in the Executive Committee with voting rights.

The leather industry has global challenges. Among Councils of Tanners, there are several organizations, associations, foundations that focus on defending, promoting, auditing and regulating leather and leather manufactures. They also cover several markets like footwear, automobiles, home upholstery, luxury goods, fashion, just to mention a few of them. An IULTCS goal is to maintain relationships with all these parties and enhance potential synergies to assure the need and interest of promoting this unique and irreplaceable material provided by nature.

And, of course, the major objective for IULTCS in 2025 is the celebration of the XXXVIII IULTCS Congress in Lyon. Our French Association, AFICTIC, is working hard and progressing in the organization according to the schedules to assure a great succes”.

Regarding the Lyon Congress, what is new and what expectations do you have in terms of participation?

“Beyond leather tradition, innovation and sustainability” is the leitmotiv of the XXXVIII IULTCS Congress in Lyon. The city of Lyon represents the three values as historically it has been connected to the leather industry, pioneered the education of leather technology and it is the headquarters prestigious technology center, CTC, specialized in footwear and leather with recognized global services in inspection, testing, consulting and training, including fashion.

Currently the organization is working on the promotion of the Congress and has already called for sponsorship and submission of papers just started. Therefore, we cannot be precise about the participation yet, but the expectations are above 350 delegates from all around the world”.

2024 was a very difficult year for the leather industry. How do you see the situation for the near future?

“I would like to accurate the expression ‘very difficult year’ because after more than 50 years involved in the leather industry, I do not remember an ‘easy year’. Also, because the leather industry is global and supplies many industries and market segments, with different needs and levels of exigencies.

Certainly, there were a lot of concerns during last year. Some tanners suffered from a weaker demand while others increased production and worked at full capacity.

Overall, I see a great future for the leather industry if it can accept the increasing complexity and demands from the market. I understand that this is not so simple and always the market is ‘difficult’. History is the science that shows the continuous success of human events from the past to the present. Leather long history is not an exception, and it is plenty of successful evolution. And why not the future?

Perhaps beyond the great demands that require a tremendous effort in our daily work, we must raise our sights so that it also provides us with signs of opportunities. As long as meat is a source of protein for humans, we will have a raw material that must be treated so as not to generate undesirable waste. Being a natural material whose exceptional properties have been exploited throughout the history of humanity, which contributes to the decarbonization and sustainability of the planet and which is a clear example for the circular economy, there can be no doubt about its future. Obstacles will not be lacking. But with a job well done, adapting the best practices both in production and in the environment and fighting together so that the consumer understands the importance of this industry, I can only have a positive vision of the industry”.