As the brand name itself recalls, Natuura™ searches in nature and its respect for creative innovation, for sustainable production in the field of fashion. Always characterised by a focus on innovation, sustainability and commitment to the environment, the company has more than 30 years of experience in the production of plant-based natural rubber products for the world’s leading brands and today is a leader in the vertically integrated production and distribution of 100% FSC™-certified, regenerative and sustainable plant-based natural rubber leather.
Natuura™’s mission is to provide sustainable and creatively flexible plant-based materials that have the look, feel and performance of leather, with the goal of making sustainability scalable and accessible in the apparel, footwear, accessories, transportation and interior design markets.
Among the top biobased leather products offered by Natuura is Terrene Mat™ (91% USDA Biobased Certification), which meets the highest standards of sustainability while offering a particularly deep embossed texture.
Another top product is Lucida Mat™, which offers high levels of biobased with customised colours, metallics, printed patterns and more in 132 cm wide continuous rolls.
The project stems from Satorisan’s desire to safeguard one of the planet’s most vital and fragile ecosystems, supporting local indigenous communities, custodians of ancient knowledge and a spiritual bond with the forest, and promoting the conservation of the Amazon’s unique biodiversity. The project’s name is inspired by the Chacrona leaf, a sacred plant used by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon to connect body and spirit. A symbol of deep harmony and spirituality that embodies Satorisan’s commitment to restoring the balance between the human being and the Earth, a philosophy that inspired the name of one of the brand’s most iconic models, which is now a best-seller.
Since 2021, Satorisan has been collaborating with the NGO Guardianes de Vida and the indigenous Huni Kuin population of Brazil’s Tarauacá region through a programme that has already seen the planting of over 19,500 trees, including fruit and medicinal species. This concrete commitment aims to regenerate the forest with indigenous plants, protect the culture and values of the local communities and improve living conditions through projects related to water, environmental education and health training.
EcoVadis is one of the most reliable and internationally recognised corporate social responsibility rating systems, measuring the ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance of more than 130,000 companies worldwide. Save The Duck achieved an overall score of 86%, with particularly strong results in the areas of Environment (77), Labour and Human Rights (74), Ethics (62) and Sustainable Procurement (61). The award places the company among the 15% of companies with the highest scores globally among those assessed in the last 12 months by the international sustainability rating platform.
‘The EcoVadis rating represents an important confirmation of the path that Save The Duck has been taking for years to integrate sustainability within every aspect of its business model,’ – comments Silvia Mazzanti, Sustainability Manager of the brand. ‘This result not only honours us, but stimulates us to continue to improve in terms of transparency, traceability and positive impact throughout the production chain.’
With this medal, the company – known for its whistling duck logo – consolidates its position as a sustainability-conscious company, reconfirming its commitment to building a more ethical and circular future.
Founded in 1993 as a family business, Icemen actually traces its roots back much further, to World War II, with the production of handmade shoes at home. In 2000, it abandoned shoe production to focus on foot care products, based on the premise that comfort is the heart of a great shoe.”Since then, we’ve dedicated ourselves to developing insoles that offer the best possible comfort, tailored to different shoe molds and needs. We realized that a shoe must be comfortable above all, and we wanted to be the ones who support that comfort from the inside,” says Mr Cahiz Er, representing the current generation of the Icemen family.
Your business includes insoles, shoe care products and accessories (shoe horns etc.): how did you develop such a diversified range of products?
“After we stopped producing shoes, our long-time customers—our “masters” in the trade—began showing interest in the insoles we were producing. Over time, they started requesting additional shoe-related accessories that were hard to find on the market. Our growth has always been customer-driven: they trust us, and we respond to their needs by developing new, high-quality products that fill gaps in the market”
What are your main markets today?
“Our core market remains the shoe industry—it’s where we were born and raised. As comfort remains our guiding principle, we are increasingly focusing on the medical sector. Pharmacies and healthcare providers have started to prefer our products for their ergonomic and supportive qualities. We’re currently developing new footcare products that target specific areas of the foot needing support, with a strong focus on medical applications”
You have participated for the second time in Expo Riva Schuh in Riva del Garda: why did you choose a finished product fair like this one?
Not attending Expo Riva Schuh in previous years was a missed opportunity. This century-old fair is one of the best platforms to connect with shoe retailers and end-users. Our products belong in shoe shops, and this expo is a key way for us to meet the right customers from all over the world. With over 20 years of experience in local and international trade fairs, we have visited and taken part in many events, but Expo Riva Schuh stands out in the trade fair scene: it attracts high-quality visitors who know exactly what they are looking for, and this makes it a precious tool. At Expo Riva Schuh we meet buyers from large chain shops with over 10 outlets, as well as re-establish relationships with long-standing partners. In addition to the fair in Riva del Garda, we participate in more than six fairs a year, including AYMOD, AYSAF, EXPOMED and other local fairs”.
What are your future plans?
“Our vision is to expand the Icemen brand and product range, first across Europe and then globally. We aim to increase brand recognition and participate in as many fairs as possible to meet new partners and introduce more people to the comfort of Icemen products.The company aiming to make “Icemen” a go-to name for foot comfort around the world”.
BUFF®, the world leader in headwear and neckwear for outdoor adventurers, announces its first collaboration with VEJA, a trainer brand known for its use of eco-friendly materials and its commitment to the environment. The BUFF® x VEJA reinvents VEJA’s iconic Fitz Roy hiking shoe, combining functionality and vibrant colours that celebrate the spirit of adventure and the authentic beauty of Brazilian nature. The result is a shoe that not only offers durability, comfort and grip on the ground, but also stands out for its bold styling and use of recycled materials, remaining true to the two companies’ values of building a more responsible future: the Trek-Shell upper is made of 100% recycled polyester and has a long-lasting PFC-free water repellent treatment, the midsole features 52% sugarcane and 3% Amazonian rubber, and the outsole is made of 31% Amazonian rubber. To complete the collaboration, BUFF® created a collection of accessories inspired by the vibrant colours of Brazilian nature, consisting of neck warmers, headbands and caps.
YHub, Italy’s leading group in innovative services and technological platforms for traceability and sustainability in the fashion and luxury industry, announces the entry of two prestigious new investors: Giorgio Armani SpA and Fondazione del Tessile Italiano. This milestone reaffirms the Group’s pivotal role in supporting both brands and supply chain actors, reinforcing its positioning as a strategic partner for sustainable transformation and consolidating a distinctive alliance in terms of vision and solutions. The founding partners – Francesca Rulli, Massimo Brandellero, and Cristian Iobbi – will retain majority control of the company, which also welcomes Matteo De Angelis, General Manager of the Group, into the shareholding structure.
This development marks a significant new chapter in a trajectory that began in 2024 with a similar transaction, which saw the entry of Foro delle Arti (the holding company of Brunello Cucinelli SpA), entrepreneur Matteo Marzotto, Claudio Rovere (Founder & CEO of Holding Industriale SpA), venture funds managed by the global investment bank LionTree, and the digital innovator Federico Marchetti (founder of YOOX) through Mavis.
Operating under the single brand Ympact, YHub currently supports over 3,000 companies in tracing supply chains and measuring the environmental and social impacts of production. It collaborates with, collaborates with more than 50 global brands, and maps over 80,000 suppliers across 22 countries.
From left: Matteo De Angelis, general manager of YHub, Massimo Brandellero, Francesca Rulli, Cristian Iobbi, founding partners of YHub
Tacchificio Villa Cortese, a historic manufacturer in the footwear industry and partner to the most prestigious international fashion brands, presents FHEEL TALK: a free event open to the public, created to promote a concrete and multidisciplinary discussion on the themes of sustainable innovation and the ESG transition. ‘From Heel to Footprint: ESG and Innovation in the Footwear Industry’ is the title of the event to be held at Cluxter, Via Charta 77, no. 15 in Scandicci (FI), on Thursday 15 May 2025, starting at 4 p.m. The aim of FHEEL TALK is to provide a space for shared reflection on the changes taking place in the footwear industry: from the evolution of materials to regulatory compliance, including the risks of non-transparent environmental communication. The event programme: • 4:45 p.m. – Introduction to FHEEL TALK • 5:00 p.m. – Innovative materials in the footwear sector • 5:30 p.m. – Regulatory developments from an ESG perspective • 6:00 p.m. – Responsible communication and the risks of greenwashing This will be followed by a networking cocktail to stimulate new synergies between companies, designers, start-ups and professionals in the sector. “With FHEEL TALK, we want to focus on the value of responsible innovation, opening a discussion between all players in the supply chain. For us, sustainability means concreteness, transparency and a culture of change”, says Silvia Paganini, Chief Marketing Officer at Tacchificio Villa Cortese. “It is not just an event, but an invitation to build a more conscious vision of the future together.” FHEEL TALK represents a further step in the sustainable transformation already undertaken by Tacchificio Villa Cortese, which has long invested in research and development, digitalisation and product traceability as a strategic lever to enhance the excellence of Made in Italy.
GSC Group launches PRISMALUX, a new series of liquid dyes for finishing, onto the market. The Montebello Vicentino-based leather chemicals company, recognized on the international market for the quality and breadth of its product range, has coined an effective motto to describe its characteristics: “Maximum Yield and Brilliance for Your Finishing Process”.
The result of dedicated research and development, in this case the new PRISMALUX range of liquid finishing dyes combines consistent supply, outstanding colour performance, and optimised technical properties for leather processing.
Enhanced Supply Chain
Thanks to an enhanced supply chain, “we can guarantee constant availability of these new dyes – providing added reliability for your productivity and delivery schedules” GSC Group explain.
Improved in Every Detail
Long-lasting colours, enduring performance. The new range of liquid dyes for finishing offers excellent technical performance combined with remarkable brilliance. Exceptionally versatile, these dyes have been selected for their high yield and vibrant shades, ensuring flawless colour results. They provide uniformity, resistance, and durability, delivering excellence in every application.
Where Eco-Awareness Meets Practicality
From design to formulation, every aspect has been carefully developed to deliver a sustainable and functional product. With the majority of shades classified as NON-ADR, the new range simplifies storage and transport operations, helping to reduce costs and logistical complexity.
ZDHC Certification
The new dye range has been developed and selected to meet the most advanced requirements: in addition to complying with current local regulations, the vast majority are internationally certified according to the ZDHC standard.
Promoting confidence in the textile and leather industry remains the mission of OEKO-TEX®. Because trust is based on consistently high standards, the OEKO-TEX® Association has released updated testing criteria, limit values and guidelines for its certifications, based on the latest scientific research and legal developments. The main changes include increased certification of organic cotton through the OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON, with inclusion in the OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN, stricter limits for BPA under the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 and strict transparency requirements for leather supply chains under the OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD. The expanded OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT will include basic chemicals and biodegradability testing.
STANDARD 100: new for organic cotton and BPA
In order to maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance and to improve the surveillance of certified organic cotton, an area where fraud is rife, the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification will not include any indication of ‘GMO-free’ or ‘organic’ cotton in the scope of the certificate. The certification of cotton as “organic” is now achievable through OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON.
In addition, OEKO-TEX® has reduced the limit value for bisphenol A (BPA) from 100 to 10mg/kg. The chemical, which can alter the hormone system if it enters the body even in small amounts, has often been found in tests on textiles worn directly on the skin.
LEATHER STANDARD: Ahead of Europe’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
As part of the European Green Deal and the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy, the European Commission adopted a new regulation in May 2024. One of the most significant challenges posed by the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is the requirement for leather supply chain transparency. Companies must trace the origins of their leather products to ensure they do not contribute to deforestation. The EUDR was supposed to come into force at the end of 2024 but was postponed by one year in November 2024. However, for hides and leather material from cattle and calves, proof of origin (e.g. delivery notes from the slaughterhouse) is required to earn OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD certification.
MADE IN GREEN: Adding ORGANIC COTTON certification option
The OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN label recognises OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON as product certificate in addition to STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD. This allows companies that have their cotton products certified to combine the strengths of both OEKO-TEX® standards: supply chain traceability and verification from farm to product with responsible and safe production.
STeP: Enhanced ZDHC cooperation boosting sustainability in textiles and leather
The collaboration between ZDHC and OEKO-TEX® aims is to empower the textile, apparel, footwear and leather industries to improve environmental impact by optimising guidelines and solutions through joint efforts. OEKO-TEX® STeP certificate holders are now eligible to participate in the ZDHC Supplier to Zero Programme. Companies can upload their STeP certificate and report to the ZDHC Supplier Platform for acknowledgement within the Supplier to Zero Programme.
ECO PASSPORT: Expanding scope and highlighting biodegradability
Starting in 2025, OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT will expand its certification scope beyond chemicals specialised for textile and leather applications to include commodity and maintenance chemicals. This expansion aims to phase out harmful substances earlier, enhance worker safety and prioritise environmental protection. Additionally, second-life commodity chemicals will be subject to more frequent testing to ensure quality. ECO PASSPORT customers will also be able highlight the biodegradability of their chemical products on their certificates
In view of the entry into force of the EU Regulation against deforestation, scheduled for 2026 also for the bovine leather sector, the UNIC Group – Italian Tanneries is developing a digital platform dedicated to the management of due diligence.
“The aim of the initiative,” explain the Italian tanners’ association, “is to provide a complete IT solution to fulfil the obligations under the EUDR specifically applied to the hides and skins supply chain”.
Realised in collaboration with a specialised IT company, the solution will allow companies to:
– geographically trace the plants involved in production;
– manage and evaluate required documentation;
– generate automated reports and digital certifications;
– integrate satellite data for risk analysis (on deforestation/degradation around geolocalised points);
– connect via API (application programming interface) to the official European information system for the automatic sending and receipt of due diligence.
The project stems from the synergy with the timber industry and the consolidated experience in the management of these digital streams. Among the planned functions, in addition to those already mentioned, is “risk assessment by integrating medium-resolution satellite data, processed through validated methodologies, to verify the state of deforestation/forest degradation around geolocalised points”.
Although cattle hide is not a driver of deforestation – as also demonstrated by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa – UNIC is therefore preparing to provide companies with a concrete and efficient tool to address new regulatory obligations.
