Arsutoria Studio
Safety Magazine

JV International launches Nexx4™ technology: the beginning of a new era

It was unveiled last March within the prestigious setting of Performance Days, a trade fair-event in Munich dedicated to presenting the latest innovations in sports and outdoor footwear and apparel. We are talking about the patented NexX4™ technology, launched by JV International, a made-in-Italy company that has been conceiving solutions, technologies and compounds for sports, outdoor, fashion and work&safety enthusiasts since 2013. An innovation that presents itself as the solution to many different problems.

 

4 in 1: the winning formula without compromise

“Imagine a material where performance, comfort, durability and aesthetics create unparalleled synergies,” explain JV Internationational. In NexX4™, lightness, durability and endless customization possibilities are the main features that make this translucent liquid polymer technology truly unparalleled.”

More specifically, the ability to maintain performance at all times over a very wide range of temperatures, from -40° to +40°, make this product versatile and suitable for every context of use, from footwear to gloves, but not only. Being born as transparent also makes NexX4™ the perfect material for brand partners who can see all their needs met in terms of aesthetics, colors, texture and design.

 

NexX4™ changes the rules of the game

From snowboarding to indoor sports to work&uniform. The benefits of NexX4™ defy boundaries and categories. This versatile technology captures the attention of brand partners, who are constantly looking for the best to push performance to the next level. Kanso, Prabos and Level presented NexX4™ technology at Performance Days.

Ambrogio Merlo, CEO of JV International and managing director NexX4™, commented, “Being at Performance Days to present NexX4™ together with outstanding brand partners is a great source of pride for me and the entire JV International team. It is an excellent opportunity to show the public and industry professionals the endless potential of NexX4™. I am also very pleased that during the two-day event, Mark Wallem, Business Development Manager of NexX4™, led the B2B market launch. His contribution to the development of this technology is critical.”

“I am very pleased and motivated to hold the NexX4™ flag high here at Performance Days. I thank Ambrogio Merlo for the opportunity to be part of the JV International team. NexX4™ product technology provides compelling solutions to business opportunities untapped by market-leading partners in footwear, gloves, and other product categories,” remarked Mark Wallem, NexX4™ Business Development Manager.

 


A Kanso model with a NexX4 sole

NexX4 sole also for Prabos boot
Level has also chosen NexX4 technology

GSC Group among the partners of the “Arzignano Leather Capital®” project

GSC Group has obtained the certificate of partnership to the registered trademark “Arzignano Leather Capital®”, an official recognition that attests to adherence to the highest standards of quality, legality, sustainability and innovation in the Vicenza tanning district. The handover ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at the Achille Beltrame Council Chamber in Arzignano, in the presence of local authorities and representatives of the project’s promoting committee.

Receiving the award for GSC Group was Dr. Caterina Serafini, the company’s Director of Administration, Finance and Control (CFO), who attended the ceremony together with the other selected companies. The certificate was presented by the mayor of Arzignano, Alessia Bevilacqua, and Councillor for Strategic Projects Enrico Marcigaglia, chairman of the “Arzignano Leather Capital” Committee, promoter of the initiative.

“This recognition is a source of pride for us,” said Dr. Caterina Serafini, CFO of GSC Group. “Operating in an area like Arzignano, which has always been synonymous with industrial excellence, means being an active part of an ecosystem of value. Sustainability, for us, is not only a strategic objective, but a guiding principle that integrates innovation, social responsibility and respect for the environment. Receiving the right to use this prestigious label “Arzignano Capital of Leather” motivates us to continue with even more determination along a path of shared growth with our territory.”

“Arzignano Leather Capital” is a strategic project promoted by the City of Arzignano and coordinated by a special committee chaired by Strategic Projects Councillor Enrico Marcigaglia. The initiative was created with the aim of enhancing virtuous enterprises in the tanning district through the awarding of a distinctive trademark, granted to companies that comply with strict standards in the ethical, environmental and production spheres.

The granting of use of the trademark is subject to compliance with 10 basic requirements, including: tax and social security compliance, safety at work, possession of environmental certifications, legality and corporate morality. Applications are evaluated by the “Arzignano Leather Capital” Committee, which is responsible for verifying that each partner company fully represents the values of the project and contributes to strengthening the image and identity of the district nationally and internationally.

GSC Group’s entry into the “Arzignano Leather Capital” project represents recognition of the consistency between the company’s vision and the initiative’s founding principles. The company actively shares and promotes the values of quality, innovation and environmental sustainability, placing a responsible and future-oriented business culture at the center of its activities.

Being part of this project means strengthening the link with the territory and contributing to the development of an industrial model that combines production excellence, ethics and environmental awareness.

GSC Group wanted to thank the City of Arzignano and the Promoting Committee for the important recognition received, which represents further confirmation of the company’s constant commitment to responsible innovation, process quality and respect for the environment.

Being part of this project means strengthening the link with the territory and contributing to the development of an industrial model that combines production excellence, ethics and environmental awareness.

GSC Group wanted to thank the Municipality of Arzignano and the promoting committee for the important recognition received, which represents further confirmation of the company’s constant commitment to responsible innovation, process quality and respect for the environment.

Being part of “Arzignano Leather Capital” means for GSC to strengthen its role within the district, actively contributing to the promotion of an evolved, ethical and sustainable industrial model, capable of enhancing the territory and projecting it towards new growth opportunities.

Over the years, GSC Group has consolidated its commitment to quality, sustainability and corporate responsibility by obtaining numerous internationally recognized certifications, including:

– ISO 9001 certification

– ISO 14001 certification

– OHSAS 18001 certification

– ISO 14064-1 greenhouse gas inventory certification

– ISO 45001 certification

– ISO 14067:2018 Certification

– ZDHC Level 3

 These awards testify to GSC Group’s constant focus on quality, transparency and sustainability of its production processes, in line with the goals of the “Arzignano Leather Capital” project.

 

Caterina Serafini, CFO of GSC Group, between the mayor of Arzignano, Alessia Bevilacqua, and Councillor for Strategic Projects Enrico Marcigaglia, chair of the “Arzignano Leather Capital”

Farewell to Mario Pucci

“It is with emotion that we wish to remember and pay tribute to the countless activities carried out by our colleague Mario Pucci, a key figure in the development of Assomac’s International Relations. His journey, which began in the 1980s, when he was among the first collaborators after the founding of the Association, continued until the end of his professional career,” said Assomac President Mauro Bergozza. ‘The journalist with a suitcase’ is how he described himself when he tried to sum up his long career in a few words. “The memory goes back to your initial choices and to that passion for authentic relations, constructive communication and the spirit of the messenger that always distinguished you. Our colleagues at Assomac remember you with deep emotion. Your serene spirit in approaching every aspect of work with seriousness and pragmatic skills, even in the most difficult and complicated moments, always calmed everyone down and taught us to give due importance to personal relationships with our interlocutors.”

 

A tireless traveller, Mario Pucci represented and promoted the Italian mechanical engineering industry in all the main footwear and leather goods producing countries, building bridges of dialogue and collaboration in every corner of the world. India, in particular, has always held a special place in his heart: a deep bond of respect, curiosity and affection.

In his stories, ever since his arrival in Vigevano in the 1970s, first at ‘L’Informatore’, and then at Assomac, he has always reported on the importance of believing in the value of people, the culture of work and the beauty of places and relationships.

 

In recent years, Pucci had settled in Florence, where he lived peacefully together with his wife Antonella. His humanity, dedication and international spirit will forever remain part of Assomac’s history.

European Parliament explains why leather does not cause deforestation

Yesterday, June 3, the European Parliament became the global stage for the European leather industry. An opportunity to deliver a clear and scientifically based message: leather is not a driver of deforestation. Hosted by MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP, Italy) in close collaboration with COTANCE and UNIC, the high-level workshop titled “EUDR: Is Leather a Driver of Deforestation? – Bringing facts to the European Parliament” brought together over 50 in-person stakeholders from across the globe. Participants included diplomatic representatives from the United States, Argentina, Turkey, and Australia, alongside officials from EU Member States (Italy, Poland), the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament, international organisations, industry experts, and representatives from leading companies and tanneries.

The event marked a major milestone in the industry’s advocacy efforts and reinforced the importance of evidence-based policymaking in the revision of Annex I of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The workshop showcased the findings of the study conducted by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (University of Pisa), offering a comprehensive review of academic literature and available data on whether leather contributes to deforestation or not. The workshop also served as the missing impact assessment on leather—filling a critical gap in the ongoing review of Annex I of the EUDR under Article 34.

Mr Luca Boltri, Vice-Director of the Italian Tanners’ Association – UNIC, said: “We are grateful to Italian MEP Salvatore De Meo (EPP), who listened to our concerns and gave us this opportunity to bringing to the European Institutions the facts of the impact of a piece of EU legislation which is totally disconnected from the realities of the leather industry.”

“I am happy to stand up for an industry that is the pride of Italian fashion and that is unfairly stigmatized in the EUDR. We all want to curb deforestation, but it is not helping the credibility of EU legislation if it sets up measures that have no real effect on the environment while they stifle the competitiveness of EU industry” – said Salvatore de Meo, MEP (EPP/Italy).

Utility Diadora launches Glove Monster

Utility Diadora consolidates its partnership with Ducati Corse, MotoGP world champion team. After the success of past seasons, this year the special dedicated work collection is further expanded with the GLOVE MONSTER safety shoe, the latest evolution of the iconic Glove safety shoe.

Glove Monster, available in low version in S3S FO HRO models with water-repellent upper and S1PS FO HRO with microfiber upper, is the sum of functional components, resulting in a high-performance safety shoe: the running-derived EVA midsole, with TPU protective film, ensures maximum responsiveness and lightness, the presence of a support cup on the heel gives greater abrasion resistance and durability. Refining the footwear is a microperforated breathable removable footbed made of open-cell PU foam and enriched with activated carbon. Highly versatile, this footwear is ideal for use in various work sectors such as, for example, crafts, industry and workshop, plant engineering, logistics and construction. Also emphasizing the link between the two great Italian companies is the use of Ducati colors and the patch with the symbol of the motorcycle manufacturer.

Glove Monster joins the Utility Diadora collection for Ducati Corse, complete with work garments and safety shoes that, over the years, has been continuously expanded: from the ultra-light Fly Motor, through the balanced Shark Engine, to the functional Speedy Race, just in terms of footwear. The goal is to provide workers with an increasingly complete range of high-quality products that meet different professional needs.

The Utility Diadora x Ducati Corse work collection is available at www.diadorautility.com and at selected retailers.

Utility Diadora Glove Monster Low S3S FO HRO with water-repellent upper
Utility Diadora Glove Monster Low S1PS FO HRO with microfiber upper 
The special composition of the sole ensures abrasion resistance and durability

Micam and Mipel land in Indonesia

The leading international trade fairs for footwear, leather goods and fashion accessories presented their exhibition offer and trends in the sector to the Indonesian public at a roadshow held in Jakarta on 29 May.
“Indonesia is the fifth world manufacturer of footwear and an economic power in great growth, young and rich in ambitions – said Giovanna Ceolini, President MICAM. The collaboration between MICAM and Indonesia Fashion Week aims to lay the foundations for a constructive dialogue between the young generation of designers and the Italian and European manufacturing industry. The partnership with Indonesia Fashion Week aims to consolidate a bond between two complementary countries by celebrating the 100th edition of MICAM, rewarding the two best young Indonesian designers and funding a specialization course in the shoe design schools in Milan of the MICAM Academy.”
A prestigious scholarship program for two Indonesian fashion design students will offer the opportunity to attend an intensive course of 10 weeks dedicated to the design of footwear collections at our prestigious Arsutoria School in Milan, one of the world’s most renowned schools in the field.

Claudia Sequi, President of MIPEL, added: “The synergy between MIPEL and MICAM, two international represents an incredible strategic force with the aim of promoting the creativity and innovation of Italian and international brands. The collaboration with Indonesia Fashion Week allows us to further strengthen this synergistic vision and represents a great opportunity not only of visibility, but also of mutual growth in a strategic sector for both Italy and Indonesia”.

Enthusiastic Poppy Dharsono, President Indonesia Fashion Week, who said: “It is an honor and a great pride for Indonesia Fashion Week 2025 to host MICAM and MIPEL in this exclusive preview. This collaboration is not only a celebration of craftsmanship and international dialogue, but also a promising opportunity for mutual economic growth, particularly in the leather fashion industry”.

FUTURMODA: key event for innovation in components and leather

The international fair for leather, textiles and materials, components and chemicals for footwear and leather goods, is ready to welcome more than 7,000 professionals of the sector for its 54th edition, which will take place on 15 and 16 October 2025 at the IFA-exhibition centerFira Alacant.

The show will bring together more than 300 exhibiting companies in an area of over 12,000 m2, once again proposing itself as an essential showcase for European industry, presenting trends and innovations for the autumn/winter fashion season 2025-2026.

This edition will not include machinery displays, allowing for increased visibility of materials, leathers, textiles, chemicals and other essential components in the manufacturing process of footwear and leather goods.

The organisation recalls that former exhibitors have the priority to book their usual space until 17 June. From this date, requests will be processed according to the criterion of the progression of arrival, according to the remaining availability.

As in every edition, FUTURMODA will maintain its strong commitment to sustainability through the Green Planet space, an area that highlights eco-friendly products, recycled materials and environmentally sustainable processes. Networking areas, restaurant areas and the expert forum will also be enhanced to promote dialogue and innovation in the sector.

For further information and to register, please visit the official website: www.futurmoda.es

Ecotan® and Stellantis: sustainable leather for the automotive of the future

Sustainability in the automotive sector is no longer a side road to be explored in the future, but a four-lane highway that the industry is travelling at ever-increasing speed. At Lineapelle 2025, the key event in the tanning industry, this acceleration was particularly evident. At the centre of attention was the strategic collaboration between Ecotan® and Stellantis, two players who have decided to join forces and expertise to chart a new direction in terms of ecological innovation and circularity of production.

Ecotan®, a 100% metal-free tanning technology developed by Silvateam, is not new to pioneering initiatives. Already known for offering the market a sustainable and ‘Zero-Waste’ alternative, resulting into recyclable leathers that find new life in biofertilizer, compost or biochar, it has captured the interest of automotive giant Stellantis. The collaboration aims to use leather tanned with the Ecotan® system and supplied by JBS-Zenda for the interior of the new Opel Grandland, recently featured in international promotional campaigns.

Gustavo Defeo, Vice-President of CTC Ars Tinctoria, highlighted how Ecotan® tanning technology, developed to create a highly bio-based leather, is a key solution for significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. These are precisely the characteristics that convinced a large group like Stellantis to go down the Ecotan® route, as confirmed by Paolino Giorgio Napolitano, Purchasing Global Lead at Stellantis, who clearly outlined the company’s sustainability goals.

“We have never seen so much effort put into finding alternatives to traditional materials,” said Napolitano. “Our objective is not only to reduce CO₂ emissions through the materials used to upholster a vehicle, but also to extend the lifecycle of these materials by improving their recyclability at the end of their lifespan.”

It was this very vision that led to the creation of the SRM – Sustainable Raw Materials department at Stellantis, which selects and develops environmentally friendly and highly recyclable materials, ensuring their sustainability throughout their entire life cycle.

In addition, Stellantis emphasises a crucial balance between sustainability and cost. Elisabetta Boschetto, Stellantis Polymers & Bio-sourced, Soft Trim Specialist, emphasised how crucial it is to find economically sustainable compromises in order to bring these innovations to the market without placing an excessive burden on the end consumer.

Lo stand Silvateam all’edizione di febbraio 2025 di Lineapelle
Paolino Giorgio Napolitano, Purchasing Global Lead di Stellantis, e Elisabetta Boschetto, specialista in polimeri e materiali bio-sourced di Stellantis
Il vicepresidente di CTC Ars Tinctoria, Gustavo De Feo spiega i risultati della sua ricerca


At Lineapelle, Ecotan® presented a complete range of leathers designed to bring sustainable value to automotive interiors: not only seats, but also door panels, dashboards and consoles, developed with prestigious tanneries – such as Mario Levi with the Ecotan® Advanced version, Durli Couros and Eagle Ottawa – or like Rino Mastrotto who presented the B-Foglia and B-Terra collections at the fair. The exhibition of car interior seats from various brands allowed visitors to appreciate at first hand the authentic beauty, naturalness and performance of the leathers, but above all their effectiveness and sustainability. It also made visitors experience first-hand the ‘Made to be Reborn’ concept, Ecotan®’s slogan that perfectly captures the project’s circular mission.

A significant challenge remains, however, overcoming the technical obstacles related to recyclability. As Boschetto pointed out, separating complex materials such as polyurethane from leather is still complicated, but the research effort focuses on these very obstacles and wants to overcome the remaining barriers. The collaboration between Ecotan® and Stellantis is a virtuous example of how such challenges can be met by realising eco-design solutions, through a joint effort, that satisfy both technical and environmental requirements.

But it is not just about technology and materials. This alliance also highlights the need for clearer communication in the sector, avoiding terminological confusion and ‘greenwashing’ practices. Gustavo Defeo recalled the importance of rigorous testing, such as radiocarbon testing, to clearly distinguish what is truly sustainable and what is not.

Ecotan® and Stellantis are not just focusing on new sustainable leathers: they are redefining the standards of the entire automotive industry. In a world seeking radical and concrete changes, this partnership is setting a clear and innovative course.

“The hope is that more and more brands will take this route and be inclined to adopt emerging technologies that promote environmental friendliness,” says Alessandra Taccon, Silvateam BU Leather Sustainable Technologies Business Director. Sustainable leather is no longer just an option: it is the new rule of the game.

Expectations are growing for ACLE Shanghai

The 25th All-China Leather Exhibition (ACLE), the trade fair dedicated to the leather industry held annually in Shanghai at the New International Expo Centre in the Pudong district, is scheduled from 3 to 5 September. The event will cover an exhibition area of 80,500 square metres, 66,000 square metres of which will be occupied by Chinese exhibitors and the rest by international companies, including chemical and tanning technology suppliers with a significant Italian presence.

The next edition will certainly be driven by the excellent results recorded last year: 31 thousand visitors and the presence at the exhibition level of no less than 17 national collectives from nine countries, including Italy, Brazil, the United States and Australia, which created a dynamic and vital event. In recent months, however, many clouds have gathered over the Shanghai fair. The reasons for concern relate to the worsening international economic and geopolitical picture. China’s leather industry (and beyond) is suffering from declining global demand and especially from the general climate of uncertainty resulting from the trade war between China and the United States, which at the beginning of the Trump administration saw an initial phase of tariff escalation that virtually crippled trade, followed by a 90-day reprieve thanks to an agreement under which Washington applies tariffs lowered to 30 percent  on Chinese products and Beijing to 10 percent.  As for industry figures, despite an average decline of 15% in the first half of 2024, the Chinese leather industry is forecasting good growth prospects, particularly in the upholstery and automotive sectors (up 5%). It is worth mentioning that over 31 million new vehicles were sold in China last year, 20-25% of which had leather interiors.

Returning to the fair, in the same week as ACLE, Shanghai will host several other industry-related events. First and foremost, the 22nd UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress scheduled for 2 September: a major international event that will attract footwear experts and technicians from all over the world. Also important are the International Tanning Summit and the Annual Assembly of CLIA, the Chinese Leather Industry Association, which will take place on the sidelines of the fair and attract tanners from all over China.

STEMMA introduces NUCLEOOS: The New Frontier of Lightweight Polyurethane

In an industry where weight is often synonymous with performance, STEMMA is rewriting the rules with NUCLEOOS: a technology that goes beyond merely reducing polyurethane density, it redefines its very role. Lightness, adaptability, and process continuity become the new hallmarks of a material that, thanks to this innovation, gains a renewed identity within the footwear supply chain.

The result of a synergistic combination of advanced research, process engineering, and in-depth knowledge of the footwear industry, NUCLEOOS enables the production of ultra-light polyurethane with drastically reduced density, without compromising on aesthetics or technical performance.

While others rely on complex systems, dedicated molds, and entirely redesigned processes, NUCLEOOS fits seamlessly into existing polyurethane molding processes, requiring no major changes to production lines.

A shift in perspective; this isn’t just about expanding polyurethane, it’s about expanding its possibilities.

With NUCLEOOS, polyurethane breaks free from its “high-performance but heavy”, emerging as a light, versatile, and competitive option even in the performance-driven world of sports footwear, ready to rival the most advanced expanded materials on the market.

A concrete answer for an industry seeking accessible innovation with solid numbers and ready-to-adopt solutions.