Arsutoria Studio
Arsutoria Studio

The Spanish footwear sector joins forces

A stable public-private partnership, a permanent technical committee and a tailor-made modernisation pilot programme for SMEs, aimed at accelerating digitalisation and sustainability and ensuring generational renewal: these are the key points of the joint proposal presented on 12 May by the national associations of footwear and footwear component manufacturers to the Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu Boher. The aim? To strengthen the competitiveness, modernisation and industrial continuity of the Spanish footwear sector and its ancillary industry.

During the meeting, both organisations emphasised the need to move towards a stable public-private partnership that would enable a response to the structural challenges facing this industrial value chain: increasing price pressure, the transformation of commercial channels, the gradual loss of the manufacturing base, difficulties in generational renewal, a lack of entrepreneurial scale, and new regulatory requirements regarding sustainability, traceability and product standards.

FICE and AEC have proposed to the Ministry that the footwear sector and its components be recognised as a priority area within Spanish industrial policy, given its significance in terms of employment, exports, innovation, territorial cohesion, production capacity and the international prestige of the ‘Made in Spain’ brand.

As the central focus of the proposal, both organisations put forward the possibility of promoting a pilot programme for sectoral industrial modernisation, supported by demonstration companies, technology centres and sectoral infrastructure.

The need to address one of the sector’s main challenges – business continuity – was also raised, along with measures aimed at strengthening the sector’s international competitiveness, supporting market diversification, improving market surveillance and promoting balanced competitive conditions for Spanish and European industry.

Both organisations have called for the establishment of a technical working group with the Ministry, with the aim of defining, in the short term, possible avenues for collaboration, support measures and modernisation projects applicable to the sector.

The high-end menswear sector gathers at PITTI UOMO 110

High-end menswear styles and trends for SS 2027 will be unveiled at the eagerly awaited event in Florence: the 110th edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo, with over 720 brands exhibiting at the Fortezza da Basso (44% of which are coming from more than 30 countries), divided into five sections: Fantastic Classic, Futuro Maschile, Superstyling, Dynamic Attitude and I Go Out.

The Pool is the inspirational and visual theme of the 2026 summer edition of the show, with the central installation curated by Philéo Landowski and designed by Pascal Hachem.

As for the special events, the Guest Designer for this edition is Simone Rocha, founder and creative director of the eponymous brand, who will hold her first independent menswear show in Florence for the occasion, taking place on 18 June at the Teatro della Pergola. The Guest Designer is DSM Kei Ninomiya, the Japanese designer acclaimed for his conceptual approach and already at the helm of noir kei ninomiya, his label that grew under the aegis of Comme des Garçons. The SS 2027 menswear collection will be showcased in Florence, with a special fashion show on 17 June at 10.00 pm at the Complesso di Sant’Orsola. The Special Guest, meanwhile, is JiyongKim, the brand of the South Korean designer who is among the top talents at the 2024 edition of the LVMH Prize, with a project-event specially conceived for Florence in the spaces of Magazzino 07 in the Fortezza. Last but not least, the Danish brand Sunflower will stage a special fashion show on 17 June at 7.00 pm at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale – as a CPHFW Special Project – thus presenting the brand to the international audience at Pitti Immagine Uomo.

 “Energy, courage and a transformative vision have always characterised our work; they are the elements that have allowed us to redefine the very concept of the trade fair at every decisive juncture, transforming Pitti Uomo into an event that is not only commercial but also a cultural promoter, a place for dialogue, generating new ideas, trends and connections” – said Antonio De Matteis, president of Pitti Immagine.

“Navigating the future: this is the message and the objective with which we are building the next cycle of fashion fairs,” declared Ivano Cauli, the new CEO of Pitti Immagine, “starting right here with Pitti Uomo.”

Pidigi acquires Sympatex: a global giant in eco-sustainable technical fabrics is born

Pidigi S.p.A., a global player in innovation and the supply of solutions for the footwear, leather goods and technical apparel sectors, has announced the acquisition of the core assets of Sympatex Technologies GmbH, a strategic move that further strengthens the company’s international positioning in the high-performance and sustainable fabrics sector. The acquisition builds on a long-standing collaboration between the two companies. Pidigi has in fact been working with Sympatex for decades, particularly in the footwear segment and in tape production technologies, integrating Sympatex laminates and membranes into its own product solutions. Through the acquisition, Pidigi will continue Sympatex’s operations, preserving its internationally recognised brand, technological know-how and key operational facilities.

Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Verona, Pidigi is a family-owned company specialized in the development and production of technical components, tapes, laminates and performance solutions for footwear, apparel and industrial applications. The company operates globally through long-standing partnerships with leading international brands.

In addition to its eight international branches, Pidigi integrates its global organizational structure, which is mainly based in the EU and Mediterranean area, with that of Sympatex, which is present in Asia as well as in the EU.

Sympatex, headquartered in Unterföhring near Munich, since 1986 is internationally recognized for its expertise in high-performance membrane technologies for footwear, apparel, workwear, protective equipment and technical applications. Its polyester-based, PFAS-free membrane technologies are known for combining waterproofness, windproofness, breathability and recyclability.

“The acquisition of Sympatex is a natural evolution of a partnership built over many years on trust, shared values and complementary expertise – commented Giorgio De Gara, owner and managing director of Pidigi -. We have always admired Sympatex’s technological capabilities, strong brand identity and commitment to sustainability. We are proud to welcome Sympatex into the Pidigi family and to support the next phase of its development.”

“By combining Sympatex’s membrane technologies and international reputation with Pidigi’s industrial capabilities, operational flexibility and global market presence, we are creating a strong platform for future growth. We see significant opportunities across footwear, apparel, workwear and technical applications, where performance, sustainability and innovation are becoming increasingly central.”

As part of the transaction, Pidigi will retain the core operational structure of Sympatex, including the Unterföhring site near Munich, key international offices and a substantial part of the workforce. The international locations in France, China and Hong Kong, as well as the Korean sales office, will continue operations under the new ownership structure.

The integration aims to ensure continuity for customers, partners and suppliers while creating operational and commercial synergies across the entire value chain. Pidigi intends to further develop Sympatex’s international business and strengthen investments in sustainable material technologies and advanced functional applications.

JV International strengthens its technical and creative expertise alongside its brand partners

Stefano Madau takes the helm of the sales department; he is a manager with a solid cross-functional background in strategic consulting and a track record at the helm of major brands in the outdoor and sports sectors. Joining him is Giovanni Girardi, who takes on the role of Sales Manager, bringing proven experience in the sports sector and established skills in negotiation, strategic planning and business development. The company’s evolution also involves strengthening the design and product development department. This is where Vania Cadamuro comes in, as Designer Coordinator and Product & Project Manager, with a career spanning the entire product lifecycle, from conception to industrialisation across various sectors, from sport to furniture, from fashion to the world of children’s products. Completing the strengthening of the technical team is Aramis Ziliotto, Technical Coordinator, who trained as a Product Designer and specialises in the technical design of soles for outdoor sports.

Luca Piani, General Director of JV International, who is leading this process of consolidation and development, says: “The arrival of these new professionals marks a strategic step in JV International’s development, as it enables us to bring key skills on board and build an increasingly robust and innovation-focused organisation. In a constantly evolving international market, we believe that investing in people, organisation and know-how is essential to sustaining the company’s growth and continuing to create value together with our brand partners.”

Luca Piani, General Director 

Sustainability and new approaches to value in the footwear industry

Unione Stilisti, in collaboration with Olians Plast, Re.Nova Plast and Flowability, is organising a discussion session dedicated to sustainability in the footwear district, with the aim of providing practical tools to tackle the transition towards circularity in a complex economic context.

 

22 May 2026
from 5.00 pm to 7.30 pm
Auditorium Quota CS
Via Pozzetto 3, Sant’Elpidio a Mare

 

The initiative stems from the realisation that many companies in the supply chain still face difficulties in integrating sustainability into their production models, partly due to recent economic challenges. In this context, sustainability is proposed as a concrete lever for innovation, efficiency and competitive strengthening.

 

The meeting, moderated by Sara Di Battista, features a programme structured around four key themes:

•    Regulations and the transformation of the supply chain: with Marco Capellini (Matrec), Luca Campadello (Erion Textile) and Giulia Caldon (Ez lab)

•    Integrated technologies to support businesses: with Marco Cappellini (Matrec) and Simone Lastrucci (WTrendy)

•    Value preservation and recovery processes: with Francesco Cognigni (Olians Group) and Elisabetta Pieragostini (Da.Mi)

•    Governance, organisation and financial instruments: with Alessandro Baccani (Aneway) and Rito Straccia (Banco Marchigiano)

 

The aim is to facilitate a meaningful dialogue between businesses and operators in the supply chain, demonstrating how sustainability can be transformed from a constraint into a real opportunity for the district.

You can register by clicking here.

ICF: 2025 and a record dividend

The company, a leading international player in the design, production and marketing of high-tech adhesives and fabrics, listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, approved its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 on 28 April and reviewed the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. The key consolidated results show revenues of €72.6 million, EBITDA of €9.7 million, up from €8.9 million as at 31 December 2024, with a margin of 13.3%. Adjusted EBIT stood at €6.8 million, up 17% on 2024.

The Shareholders’ Meeting also approved the allocation of the net profit for the year and the distribution of a dividend of €0.30 per share. This was followed by the appointment of the new management team, with Guido Cami as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Marina Balzano, Steven Kenny and Roberto Rettani were appointed as independent directors. A new share buyback programme was also authorised, aimed at enabling ICF to build up a share portfolio to be used for extraordinary financial transactions and/or other financial, managerial and strategic purposes.

A resilient company in a challenging environment

In an interview with Class CNBC, Chairman Guido Cami commented on these excellent financial results, highlighting that, in reality, revenues are down from €75.2 million as at 31 December 2024, primarily due to the contraction in the footwear and leather goods sector, which was offset by positive performance in other sectors in which ICF operates, such as automotive and flexible packaging.

Cami also highlighted how Italy is becoming increasingly expensive for the global market: “Italian products are costly, generally speaking, in terms of compliance, regulation and energy, and this causes us to lose competitiveness compared to the Far East. Looking specifically at our portfolio, however, we have seen that we have managed to regain market share in Europe, because our customers who manufacture and sell in Europe are themselves subject to increasingly restrictive and stringent European regulations.”

Today, Cami points out, “the mantra is no longer simply to bring in orders and turnover, but we need to be more selective, producing niche, more technical products that comply with regulations and feature strong innovation. Only in this way do margins increase”. To achieve this, a company needs to be well-structured in terms of machinery, but it also requires a great deal of imagination and curiosity in commercial matters, a strong R&D team for innovation and, finally, effective administrative and managerial control.

With regard to the serious crisis in the Middle East and its consequences, Cami states that since 2 March there has been a significant surge in the cost of all raw materials, and this is bound to have a significant impact in the near future: “Raw materials account for around 60–62% of our costs, and solvents – whose price has tripled – make up almost 70% of that 60–62%, so you can imagine the impact. The difference compared to 2021 and the post-Covid period is that – for the time being – the surge in raw material prices has not yet been accompanied by a shortage of these materials, at least in Europe. The real question is what will happen between now and the next 3–4 months, between now and the summer holidays.”

Guido Cami, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

Diadora Utility ‘makes a splash’ at the May Day concert

For the fifth consecutive year, Diadora Utility is renewing its historic partnership with the May Day “Concertone,” outfitting the technical staff of the most anticipated concert of the year with safety apparel and footwear. And in this tireless behind-the-scenes world, where everything moves at a frenetic pace, Utility aims to amplify the message that “Safety Makes Noise.” To emphasize this message, there will be a photo reportage of the technicians working behind the scenes, as well as testimonials from the artists themselves, who, in a dedicated corner on the sidelines of their performances, will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of working safely.
A collective narrative, destined for the brand’s social media pages, to raise awareness of fundamental issues such as the protection of workers in every environment and context.
For the occasion, the new Glove A.Box will make its world premiere. This safety footwear embodies the cutting-edge technology of Diadora Utility, designed to achieve new performance milestones thanks to an innovative construction and a selection of materials that maximize breathability. On the one hand, the innovative A.Box construction, patented by Diadora, features a redesigned structure with side ventilation holes, specifically engineered to provide greater foot ventilation, and a midsole placement that enhances its cushioning and responsiveness; on the other hand, the use of Ariatex, the new-generation breathable membrane developed at the Diadora Research Center, which is completely PFAS-free, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This combination acts like a true “pump effect” with every step: while blocking water from entering, it allows excess moisture to escape much more easily, keeping the foot dry in all weather conditions.

The new Glove A.Box shoe
Women’s total look
Men’s total look  

Leather excluded from the EUDR

The European tanning industry breathes a sigh of relief: hides, skins and leather have been excluded from the scope of the Anti-Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
On May 4, the European Commission proposed to exclude hides, skins and leather from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on zero-deforestation products (EUDR), through a draft delegated act that will amend Annex I and is expected to enter into force by summer following a public consultation. The decision represents a crucial step for the European tanning industry and formalizes the recognition of a position long advocated by COTANCE, the umbrella organization representing European tanners’ associations: leather is a byproduct of the meat and dairy supply chains and does not drive either cattle farming or deforestation.
According to the sector, the inclusion of leather in the EUDR was not supported by a specific impact assessment, and its exclusion aligns with the principle of regulatory proportionality. COTANCE reiterated that it shares the environmental objectives of the regulation but has always called for rules based on scientific evidence.
The decision follows a globally coordinated effort by the tanning industry, involving associations and stakeholders
“Today’s European Commission saved more 30 000 jobs across European tanneries and sent a clear signal to the world: the leather industry is not a problem to be regulated away — it is a solution to be invested in. The European leather industry is the innovation edge of a global sector, producing the most sustainable and technically advanced leather in the world. This outcome allows us to keep our focus where it belongs: on the future” said Manuel Rios, President of COTANCE.
Edoardo De Paola, Secretary General of COTANCE, added: “This is a historic moment for the tanning industry. The Commission has rectified a fundamental flaw that has existed since the EUDR proposal was first put forward, confirming what logic has long suggested: converting a by-product of livestock into leather does not drive deforestation. Since biblical times, leather has symbolized the transformation of a natural by-product into something Even though the outcome now seems certain, it is important to remember that the process is far from over. For the exclusion to become final, a 30-day public consultation period by the Commission must now be observed. The Council and the European Parliament then have an additional 60 days to approve the delegated act or request that it be revised in its entirety.

Diadora Utility ‘makes a splash’ at the May Day concert

For the fifth consecutive year, Diadora Utility is renewing its historic partnership with the May Day “Concertone,” outfitting the technical staff of the most anticipated concert of the year with safety apparel and footwear. And in this tireless behind-the-scenes world, where everything moves at a frenetic pace, Utility aims to amplify the message that “Safety Makes Noise.” To emphasize this message, there will be a photo reportage of the technicians working behind the scenes, as well as testimonials from the artists themselves, who, in a dedicated corner on the sidelines of their performances, will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of working safely.
A collective narrative, destined for the brand’s social media pages, to raise awareness of fundamental issues such as the protection of workers in every environment and context.
For the occasion, the new Glove A.Box will make its world premiere. This safety footwear embodies the cutting-edge technology of Diadora Utility, designed to achieve new performance milestones thanks to an innovative construction and a selection of materials that maximize breathability. On the one hand, the innovative A.Box construction, patented by Diadora, features a redesigned structure with side ventilation holes, specifically engineered to provide greater foot ventilation, and a midsole placement that enhances its cushioning and responsiveness; on the other hand, the use of Ariatex, the new-generation breathable membrane developed at the Diadora Research Center, which is completely PFAS-free, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This combination acts like a true “pump effect” with every step: while blocking water from entering, it allows excess moisture to escape much more easily, keeping the foot dry in all weather conditions.

The new Glove A.Box shoe
Women’s total look
Men’s total look  

TOMORROW, APRIL 29, IS WORLD LEATHER DAY

There is now just one day left until World Leather Day 2026, which will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday, April 29. Launched in 2022 through a collaboration between Leather Naturally and the Leather Working Group, World Leather Day represents an important opportunity to reaffirm that leather is a resilient, versatile, and durable material.
The theme chosen for this year’s edition, “Make It Leather,” is a genuine call to action directed at the entire supply chain. It is a message intended to highlight a paradigm shift—moving from a volume-based approach to one grounded in value, from a throwaway culture to one of durability, and toward consumption that is less influenced by trends and more focused on quality and artisanal tradition.
Leather Naturally is asking operators in the leather supply chain to do their part in spreading the message through their social media channels. To facilitate communication, it has prepared a toolkit that can help amplify the news.
Click HERE to download the toolkit