Despite the uncertain climate of global markets, Simac Tanning Tech is betting heavily on internationality, technological innovation and, this year, on Africa as a key continent. We talk about this with Agostino Apolito, General Manager of ASSOMAC, the Italian trade association that organises the event.
What will be the highlights of the 2025 edition of Simac Tanning Tech?
“We have chosen to focus on internationality and technological innovation. This year we want to further strengthen STT’s role as a global platform for innovation. We are planning in-depth seminars and targeted technology tracks, with a special focus on the first concrete applications of artificial intelligence. Memberships are already more than positive, despite the fact that the geopolitical climate continues to be complicated.”
How are geopolitical tensions, such as those between India and Pakistan or the Russian – Ukrainian war, affecting the shoe and leather goods technology market?
“The global geopolitical situation unfortunately represents a sword of Damocles for the whole sector. India and Pakistan are two key markets for us, and the recent tensions between these two countries create inevitable uncertainties. Moreover, the war between Ukraine and Russia continues to hold back investment, with direct repercussions for our companies, which produce capital goods. We need stability and visibility on the future in order to be able to invest with confidence.”
What are the most important challenges on which the sector must push?
“Africa has become strategic to beat Chinese competition. It is a tough challenge, but the interest is very strong, especially in the tanning and footwear sector. If we look at the numbers, the balance of production in Europe and Africa has been achieved: about 260 million pairs of shoes for each continent. For this reason, as ASSOMAC and STT, we are developing significant projects not only with Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, but also with key countries such as Kenya, Senegal and Niger, aiming at the creation of structured and sustainable supply chains, capable of guaranteeing quality raw materials and therefore relying on Italian technologies.”
Are there already concrete activities underway on the continent?
“For sure. In Kenya, for example, we are working with the government to organise the cattle supply chain, which could potentially become one of the most important in the world. The Kenya-Mozambique region, if it were a single country, would be second only to a few countries in global cattle production. However, the quality of the hide is still low and needs major structural intervention. This is where ASSOMAC, UNPAC and UNIC come in, through targeted projects and field missions.”
Are there any other novelties in view for Simac Tanning Tech in September?
“Certainly, an important and interesting one dedicated to the world of metal accessories. In fact, we will integrate at the fair, as a pilot project, technologies for galvanic, gold-plating and bronzing of accessories, accompanied by innovative purification systems. This is a significant step forward that responds to a growing demand from the fashion market, which is increasingly attentive not only to the final quality of the product, but also to the environmental sustainability of the entire supply chain. And it responds to STT’s desire to expand its horizons and involve other production sectors in the offer.”
If he had to identify the main objective to be achieved with this edition of Simac Tanning Tech?
“To further strengthen the exhibition’s central position on the international scene and confirm Italy as a centre of excellence for technological innovation in the sector. We want to offer visitors a complete overview of the latest innovations, encouraging investments that can fuel stable and sustainable growth of the entire production sector.”
An ambitious challenge, therefore, that looks well beyond September, aiming to create an ever-deeper connection between innovation, the global market and sustainable development.
Innovation does not only mean developing technical upgrades: it is also vision. New points of view that sometimes open up by approaching worlds that seem far away. It is on this boundary – between the present and the future of the industry – that ASSOMAC, the association of Italian manufacturers of footwear, leather goods and tanning technology, is moving today.
“We have set up a working group dedicated to exploring new technological frontiers,” says Massimo Angeleri, vice-president of ASSOMAC. “Our task is to present members with emerging applications, such as artificial intelligence, to understand what really can be integrated into our machineries.”
A first concrete step was the start of a collaboration with the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa. “We have already had a couple of meetings,” Angeleri continues. “They explained to us the main lines of their research. We were very impressed by their approach to advanced robotics: we are talking about robots capable of analysing situations and reacting autonomously. Not simple automation, but contextual intelligence.”
Is this a paradigm shift that could redesign the entire production cycle? The question is legitimate, and it is right to investigate. But without easy enthusiasm. “I believe that the level of our technologies is already very high,” Angeleri points out, “but this does not mean being content. We have to understand how these innovations can add real value to the innovations we already offer the market.”
The next step will be a visit to the IIT in July, to see possible applications in the field. Afterwards, some researchers will be guests at Simac Tanning Tech. “We have invited them to tour the stands,” Angeleri concludes, “so they can see our machines up close, the way we work, and the real needs of manufacturers.”
It is only by investigating frontiers that new territories can be discovered, and this is exactly the type of path that ASSOMAC and Simac Tanning Tech want to propose to the industry.
The world of footwear is preparing for a crucial appointment with innovation. From 31 August to 3 September 2025, Shanghai will host the 22nd UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress, organised by UITIC and CLIA – China Leather Industry Association, on the theme ‘Competitiveness and Sustainability in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’.
An event that promises to be of extraordinary interest, as confirmed by Sergio Dulio, UITIC President, whom we interviewed to better understand the novelties of this edition.
Artificial Intelligence drives innovation
“More than half of the papers presented concern AI, with mature and exciting projects. This is a turning point”, reveals President Dulio.
Artificial intelligence is confirmed as the pivotal theme of the next edition of the UITIC Congress, with a surprising number of contributions focusing on concrete and advanced applications. “This is a positive surprise, testifying to the growing curiosity and desire to experiment also in the footwear sector.”
The congress explores unprecedented scenarios in which AI is emerging as a creative tool, particularly in the product design phase. “A widespread trend is emerging to consider artificial intelligence as a lever for rethinking product design processes,” adds Dulio.
Sustainability: from regulatory constraint to strategic lever
The issue of sustainability is also taking on a new centrality, evolving from a simple regulatory obligation to a decisive competitive factor. “Today, companies recognise sustainability as a strategic element for competitiveness,” notes Dulio. “It is no longer just an externally imposed obligation, but a value that has now entered the common lexicon and is perceived as necessary for a company’s prosperity.”
A rich and high-profile programme
The congress is divided into four major thematic sessions: Innovative products and materials; Sustainability as a tool for competitiveness; Innovative and AI-enhanced manufacturing; Successful business cases.
Among the most eagerly awaited moments, the keynote speech by Nicoline van Enter on artificial intelligence applied to footwear development. She will be joined by a second keynote speaker chosen from among Anta’s top managers. The concluding panel will be dedicated to the future of AI in the footwear world.
“The quality of the speeches is very high,” Dulio points out with satisfaction. “We had no difficulty in completing the programme with authoritative speakers for each of the four sessions.”
China protagonist of this edition of the Congress
One of the most significant novelties is the strong growth of the Chinese contribution. “There has been an important participation of Chinese companies in the Call for Abstract with high quality proposals and papers”, reveals Dulio.
Innovating to overcome the crisis
At a delicate time for the entire shoe industry, the congress assumes a strategic value. “Investing in innovation is now more crucial than ever,” reiterates the president. “Emerging technologies, starting with artificial intelligence, can be a key to regaining competitiveness, especially for manufacturing companies that can no longer compete on volumes.”
An opportunity for the entire supply chain
The event is aimed at the entire footwear value chain: “It is a fundamental update not only for those who make the finished product, but also for those who develop and supply the technologies”, Dulio emphasises. The supply chain is called upon to dialogue, confront each other and rethink with a view to the future.
The evolution of UITIC
The congress is not only a point of arrival, but also a starting point. “We are asking ourselves what the future evolution of our association will be”, Dulio anticipates. “It is possible that in two years’ time UITIC will no longer be exactly as we know it today.” An opening that portends important novelties for the coming editions.
The 22nd UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress in Shanghai is shaping up to be a not-to-be-missed event for all those in the industry who want to understand and anticipate the transformations taking place. A unique opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence and sustainability can become the pillars of future competitiveness in the world of footwear.
The final programme will be published around 10 of June on the conference website (uitic2025.com).
Taking Italian technology abroad means becoming explorers again: it requires balance and strategy, but the results can be extraordinary. Assomac Around the World 2025′ has seen and sees the association engaged in targeted missions to expand the presence of Italian technologies for the tanning, leather goods and footwear sectors in the most promising world markets.
FIRST STAGE: India International Leather Fair in Chennai
The first stop on this ambitious journey was the India International Leather Fair (IILF) held in Chennai from 1 to 3 February. The event represented a strategic platform for Italian companies, ready to present innovations and cutting-edge technologies in a market, the Indian one, that is experiencing rapid expansion. In 2025, India’s GDP is expected to grow by 6.5%, with the leather goods industry aiming to reach €45 billion by 2030.
India, not only the world’s second largest producer of footwear and leather goods and the fifth largest exporter of leather goods, but also the third largest exporter of saddle goods, represents a crucial market for Italian exports. In fact, in the period January-October 2024, Italy consolidated its position as the second largest supplier of leather processing machinery, right after China, with exports amounting to €14.62 million (+42.15% over the previous year).
SECOND STAGE: Lineapelle Milan and APLF Hong Kong
In February, the journey continued in Italy with Lineapelle Milan, a must-attend event for companies eager to showcase technological innovations and craftsmanship skills to the global market. The Milan event was immediately followed by the APLF trade fair in Hong Kong from 12 to 14 March, thus consolidating Italy’s position in a strategic point connecting East and West.
THIRD STAGE: Mega Leather Show, Pakistan
The international tour then landed in Pakistan with participation in the Mega Leather Show, held from 11 to 13 April. Pakistan, with annual leather exports of $874 million, is the country’s second largest export sector after textiles. The country has a well-developed supply chain in leather garments, shoes and gloves.
With around 800 leather companies and 213 corporate members of the Leather Tanning Association, the leather industry accounts for 4% of the national GDP. Assomac’s participation in this fair offered strategic opportunities for Italian companies, opening up new possibilities for collaboration and contributing to the growth of a sector that is fundamental to Pakistan’s economy.
INNOVATION AND COMPETITIVENESS: CENTRAL OBJECTIVES
These first steps in 2025 confirm the effectiveness of the ‘Assomac Around the World’ programme in opening new trade routes and strengthening the international relations of the Italian leather industry. The strategy focuses decisively on real innovation, concrete collaboration and global competitiveness, demonstrating that for Made in Italy there are no insurmountable borders, only opportunities to be seized.
With these premises, the second half of the year promises to be just as dynamic and challenging. Because, as Assomac teaches, international success cannot be improvised: it is built step by step, journey by journey.
Starting with stops in Vietnam and Shanghai. Assomac Around the World will continue to support member companies in their international expansion in the second half of 2025. The programme includes two important trade fair stops: from 9 to 11 July the companies will be in Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City, to take part in Shoes and Leather. Afterwards, from 3 to 5 September, the initiative will move to Shanghai for the ACLE trade fair.
Confindustria Accessori Moda, the Federation that represents about 10,000 companies in the footwear, leather goods, tanning, fur and leather clothing sectors, presents the results of the 1st Business Cycle Survey, which photographs the trend of the sector in the first two months of the year. The data confirm the continuation of the critical situation that characterised all of 2024, a year that closed with a total industry turnover of around 30 billion euros. The negative trend also extends to the beginning of 2025, with a -6.4% drop in turnover in the first quarter compared to the same period of the previous year, confirming a slowdown across all production sectors. A further cause for concern is the industrial production index, which – according to ISTAT data referring to the first four months of 2025 – shows a marked drop in activity: -16.4% compared to the same period in 2024.
Employment: increased use of CIG
The production difficulties are also reflected in employment: in the first three months of the year, almost 13 million hours of CIG were authorised in the sector, up 66% compared to the same period in 2024.
Export and Import
Exports in the first two months of 2025 fell by -6.5% year-on-year to EUR 4.2 billion. The figure, negative in itself, should however be assessed in relation to exports (total year) in 2024 over 2019, the pre-covid year: in this case, there is a 3% growth (€25.1 billion in 2024, €24.3 billion in 2019) that confirms the appreciation that consumers all over the world have for Made in Italy. Resistance is therefore a must.
Inbound flows, driven by imports from the Far East, have started to grow again (+7.5%). As a result of these dynamics, the trade balance of the sector – although in surplus for 2.2 billion Euros – has recorded a double-digit drop (-16.7%) compared to 2024: this leads to a reflection on the price of Made in Italy products on the market, which are too expensive for the current purchasing power of Italian families.
Geographically, exports to the European Union remain stable (-0.3%). The US market is also holding up at the moment (-1.2%), although it is reporting difficulties linked to the introduction of new duties by the second Trump administration. There was a sharper slowdown in China (-30.5%) and Hong Kong (-20.4%); positive signals came instead from the Arab Emirates (+11.4%), Turkey (+23.5%), Kazakhstan (+10.4%) and Ukraine (+0.5%).
Outlook for the current year, stable but unsatisfactory
The forecast analysis for the second quarter of 2025 shows no signs of recovery. Business sentiment remains cautious:
52% of respondents expect stable but unsatisfactory conditions, while one in two companies fear a further reduction in revenues;
On the employment front, 7 out of 10 companies estimate a stable workforce, 28% expect a contraction, while only 10% expect an increase;
39% of companies expect to resort to the CIG in the second quarter as well.
Underlying the continuing difficulties is, firstly, the general weakness of domestic and foreign demand, indicated by 8 out of 10 companies. This is followed by the effects of geopolitical conflicts: Russia-Ukraine and the Middle East, cited by a total of 28% of companies. No less important is the concern linked to the crisis of the big luxury brands and the new US duties, indicated by 40% of the sample.
Giovanna Ceolini, President of Confindustria Accessori Moda, commented: “The picture that emerges is undoubtedly complex, but the companies in the supply chain are showing great resilience and a willingness to adapt. Alongside the difficulties linked to falling demand, geopolitical tensions and the export slowdown, companies are also facing long-term strategic challenges, starting with sustainability. Consumers are paying more and more attention to this aspect in their purchasing choices and, while for 56% of companies in the sector sustainability is a top priority, 38% expect the focus on these issues to grow further in the coming months. However, transforming this commitment into concrete action requires significant investment, resources that many SMEs today struggle to find. The situation is difficult: there is a risk of collapse of an entire sector, made up of thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises, artisans, professionals and hundreds of thousands of workers’. And he adds: ‘While appreciating the attention shown by the current government in recent months, we call for the urgent opening of a joint table between production companies and Brands, to build together a sustainable future for the Made in Italy production chain, given that it is our companies that in many cases produce the accessories appreciated by consumers around the world and signed by international Brands. It is essential to act promptly and adopt concrete measures, such as the 2015-2019 tax credit for samples, support for internationalisation and access to credit, the extension of anti-crisis tools, including the CIG, and the implementation of a new industrial policy capable of accompanying companies towards innovation and sustainability. Time is a decisive variable: every month that passes without answers represents a step backwards for the entire Italian fashion system”.
The LIFE I’M TAN project draws to a close. Launched in September 2021 and funded by the European Union under the LIFE programme (LIFE20 ENV/IT/000759), the initiative set out to enhance traditional vegetable tanning and retanning processes through the development of a new generation of high-performance natural tannins. These innovative extracts undergo innovative purification and chemical-physical modification processes. Production is currently at the pilot stage, with market analysis, feasibility studies and cost assessments underway to support the scale-up to full industrial manufacturing.
The project was carried out by five Italian companies, all directly or indirectly connected to the leather tanning industry and was coordinated by Silvateam. These partners are Crossing, Centro Ricerca per la Chimica Fine (CRCF), Incas tannery and the Aquarno Consortium.
PROJECT GOALS AND CONCEPT
The primary objective of the LIFE I’M TAN project was to develop and validate a new generation of innovative, purified and chemically modified natural tannins. These advanced tannins are designed not only to enhance existing vegetable tanning processes but also to enable entirely new, more sustainable solutions. Central to the project is a strong commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability, as well as a forward-looking vision, aligning with forthcoming EU regulations such as the Digital Product Passport and the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products.
Over the course of four years of research and applied development, the project successfully designed a new class of natural tannins derived from botanical sources such as chestnut and quebracho wood. These groundbreaking tanning agents offer environmentally sustainable alternatives, contributing to a reduced reliance on hazardous chemicals, decreased water consumption and improved wastewater quality.
In parallel, the project assessed the feasibility of valorising by-products from the tannin production, as well as leather scraps and trimmings, by transforming them into high value-added solutions, demonstrating a practical and scalable model of circular economy.
The entire research and development process was carried out following a rigorous analytical methodology based on specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the leather and technical evaluations aligned with the standards set by the leather tanning industry and the extremely demanding automotive and fashion brands.
Aquarno: respirometer for biodegradability testsCrossing: setting up the reactorCrossing: the reactor
ACTIONS AND KEY RESULTS
The LIFE I’M TAN project was structured around several core activities:
– Benchmarking and environmental analysis: A thorough evaluation of conventional tanning technologies currently used in the market was conducted to establish baseline environmental impact indicators. This benchmarking served as a critical reference point, enabling the quantification of improvements achieved through the application of the newly developed modified tannins.
– Development of purified and enhanced natural tannins: Led by a dedicated green chemistry team from Silvateam, Crossing and CRCF, the project designed advanced processes for the purification and chemical modification of natural tannins. The resulting extracts demonstrated significantly improved chemical and physical characteristics compared to conventional benchmarks. Several of these new tannins deliver enhanced performance while requiring lower application dosages, thanks to their higher concentration of active ingredients. Others, distinguished by a notably lighter colour than standard tannins, possess optimal chemical properties for stabilising hides during the pickle phase, contributing to a reduction in the use of fossil-derived compounds in the pre-tanning process.
– Application in leather production: The innovative tannins were subjected to extensive application testing in both laboratory and industrial environments. Conceria Incas carried out full-scale production runs of leather intended for footwear and leather goods, successfully demonstrating the practical applicability and enhanced performance of the new tanning agents. Leathers treated with the LIFE I’M TAN extracts exhibited excellent versatility in colour development, including the ability to achieve light and pastel shades, representing a significant improvement in comparison with conventional tannins. In addition, preliminary results suggest strong potential for these tannins in the formulation of waterproof leathers, an area identified for further exploration and development.
– Environmental footprint of the new tanning process: The benchmark comparison was extended to include also a comprehensive analysis of environmental impact indicators. The Aquarno Consortium, in collaboration with Conceria Incas and CRCF, conducted in depth evaluations of key chemical and physical parameters, focusing on optimising wastewater treatment processes and delivering measurable environmental improvements:
o Water consumption during the tanning phases was reduced by 5% to 25%, depending on the type of leather article produced. This optimisation was due to the high efficiency and adaptability of the newly developed modified tannins, which support the creation of leather products that meet or exceed industry performance benchmarks. o Tanning bath analyses showed a reduction of up to 40% in organic matter content, measured as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), when compared to conventional reference processes. o Also potentially hazardous substances, including phenol, bisphenols and formaldehyde, were reduced by more than 80%, a direct result of significantly lowering the use of synthetic tanning agents in the process. o Biodegradability testing of treated wastewater is currently underway to determine whether the reduced pollutant load is also accompanied by enhanced biodegradability. These evaluations will be finalised upon project completion.
All environmental impact data collected contributes directly to the project’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) studies, ensuring a holistic understanding of both the sustainability and economic viability of the new tanning process.
– Upcycling of LIFE I’M TAN by-products: An additional key benefit of the new natural tannins is the significant reduction in production waste, both from the chemical processing and leather tanning phases. The advanced purification processes developed for the modified tannins enabled the recovery and upcycling of certain by-products into high-value ingredients for use in other sectors, including animal nutrition and the manufacture of environmentally friendly resins. In parallel, leather scraps and trimmings generated during manufacturing can be recycled through a hydrolysis process into fertilisers suitable for organic agriculture. This approach contributes to closing the loop on material reuse and supports a fully circular model for leather valorisation.
Silvateam: pilot plantSilvateam: first batch of modified tannins
SUSTAINABILITY AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
The results achieved thus far, while pending broader validation at full industrial scale, clearly demonstrate that the new modified natural tannins offer a promising pathway toward a next-generation tanning technology that is innovative, environmentally sustainable and commercially viable.
From an economic standpoint, vegetable tanning and retanning processes based on these advanced tannins enable a more efficient use of raw materials by reducing the need for conventional tanning agents. At the same time, they support the production of high performance, soft leathers available in a broad spectrum of colours, adopting simplified bio-based formulations.
As the LIFE I’M TAN project concludes, attention now turns to scaling and disseminating these innovations across the leather tanning sector. The project provides a replicable, industrially relevant model for sustainable tanning practices, with strong potential for adoption across Italy and the wider European market. By embracing these modified natural tannins, the leather industry can significantly improve its environmental footprint, elevate product quality and align more closely with emerging regulatory frameworks. Importantly, these tannins exhibit strong transferability beyond leather processing, with potential applications in fields such as animal nutrition and the development of sustainable resins and polymers.
LIFE I’M TAN has demonstrated that collaborative innovation and a clear sustainability focus can modernise traditional industries, delivering meaningful environmental, economic and social impact across the value chain.
Incas: Life I’m Tan tanned leathersIncas: Life I’m Tan tanned leathers
Wastewater treatment can also benefit from artificial intelligence. On June 18, a project curated by Consorzio Aquarno, in collaboration with Data Brain Services, was unveiled that aims to prevent accidents at work and prevent the release of pollutants into the environment through the use of AI-based predictive systems.
The project initiated by the Aquarno Consortium in Santa Croce sull’Arno (Pisa), in the heart of the tanning district, also aims to reduce electricity consumption (by up to 25 percent) and environmental impact through greater control of the biological purification process and extreme events such as flooding.
The entire system, the first of its kind, is expected to become fully operational by July 2025. The plant operated by Aquarno treats urban and industrial wastewater for more than two million inhabitants from four municipalities and hundreds of tanning companies: it receives wastewater with high concentrations of sulfides, salts and recalcitrant substances. The adopted system integrates readings from more than 60 sensors (flow rate, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, organic load), along with more than 250 analytical parameters that are analyzed daily at the laboratory, and processes them with machine learning models that can predict scenarios, flag anomalies, and support operator decisions in choices ranging from the use of compressors for oxygenation to the adjustment of chemical reagents and stormwater management.
Royal Smit & Zoon, a recognized sustainability leader in the leather industry, has just presented ‘Drops of Difference’, its’ new Sustainability Strategy for 2030. Aiming for transparency, accountability and delivering meaningful impact, the Sustainability Strategy 2030 lays out a clear and structured plan to guide the company in fulfilling our mission of ‘creating a sustainable leather value chain, together’.
Guiding ESG efforts towards 2030
Drops of Difference builds on the solid foundation of the company’s ESG Roadmap 2025, reinforcing Royal Smit & Zoon’s commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of its business. Structured around four key pillars: Society, Solutions, Operations, and People, this strategy outlines the next step in the company’s journey to accelerate positive transformation across the leather industry.
The strategy was developed based on thorough stakeholder engagement and is aligned with international standards. Moreover, it contributes to global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With 14 clearly defined goals for 2030, it focuses on driving industry transformation, delivering sustainable solutions, and leveraging Royal Smit & Zoon’s role as a world-class manufacturer, responsible business partner, and employer of choice.
“This strategy – CEO Marc Smit explains – is not just about meeting targets, it’s about translating our legacy of responsibility and forward thinking into transformative action across the entire leather value chain. Drops of Difference provides a focused and actionable plan, helping us realize our mission of creating a sustainable leather value chain, together. Our Sustainability Strategy 2030 responds to the urgency of global challenges such as climate change, focuses our efforts where we can make the biggest impact, and turns ambitions into meaningful progress.”
Marc Smit (CEO) and Aukje Berden (Global ESG Director)
“Kilometro Rosso is not simply a place, it is a metaphor for innovation”. This is how Cristiano Paccagnella, vice-president of Assomac, opens his thoughts on the future of Italian manufacturing in the footwear, leather goods and tanning technology sector. Assomac’s general assembly, scheduled for 20 June 2025 (the program) and entitled ‘Growth, collaboration and innovation for the European fashion industry’, will be held in a highly symbolic location to talk about growth, collaboration and innovation.
In a complex and competitive international scenario, the ability to anticipate changes and interpret market dynamics becomes crucial. “We technology manufacturers have always been involved in innovation,” says Paccagnella, emphasising how Kilometro Rosso represents this vocation for research and technological progress.
However, Italian manufacturing, recognised globally for its ability to innovate, now faces new challenges: the international economic context requires a shared and structured strategy more than ever. Internationalisation, innovation and strategic alliances become essential keywords. “It is time to look beyond the personal interests of individual companies. What is needed is a strong and integrated network between companies,” Paccagnella continues, pointing out that collaboration is not only desirable, but necessary.
The average size of Italian companies, while excellent in production and innovation, remains small globally. This condition, explained the Vice President, “does not allow us to tackle all the challenges we face effectively. Hence the importance of collaboration and co-innovation, central themes of the Assomac assembly.”
Indeed, aggregation between companies allows access to new skills, advanced technologies and emerging markets. It is imperative to reiterate the urgency of creating structured groups: “In addition to innovative and quality products, today our customers expect services that are more timely, more precise, and capable of grasping new trends, from artificial intelligence to big data.” All this, adds Paccagnella, “can only be achieved with true collaboration, a business network between associates.”
Assomac, which represents more than 130 companies operating in more than 130 countries, is an active spokesperson for these instances, committing itself to promoting and enhancing Made in Italy technological excellence at European decision-making tables. “Our role,” Paccagnella concludes, “is to advance the concept of aggregation and innovation as strategic levers to ensure resilience and sustainable growth.”
The assembly on 20 June therefore represents a long-awaited and crucial moment to define new strategies and strengthen the dialogue between companies, institutions, stakeholders and the academic world. At the heart of the discussion is the clear and determined will to face global challenges with a united and authoritative voice, thus guaranteeing the future of Italian manufacturing in the global competitive landscape.
With global trade wars and tariff uncertainty dominating the fi rst half of this year, the footwear industry’s need for agility and innovation has never been more urgent. No company is better suited to lead by example than OrthoLite.
Market Wisdom Gained from Experience OrthoLite created the comfort and performance insole category nearly 30 years ago, and has led in sales, volume, reputation, and customer service ever since. Today, OrthoLite partners with over 550 brands to produce more than 600 million pairs of insoles each year. This success-fueled longevity is the opposite of a company resting on its laurels. Instead, it is a testament to OrthoLite’s agility through continuous growth, evolution and innovation. Time has only sharpened the brand’s commitment to developing market-relevant insole solutions, and to building a vertically-integrated global infrastructure that’s responsive to global trends. OrthoLite operates factories in the most important footwear manufacturing hubs across the globe, including: Vietnam, China, India and Indonesia. In 2021, the company opened OrthoLite Europe in Almansa, Spain, enabling delivery times of 2-4 days to nearly any location in Europe.
A Culture Innovation Through Clarity of Vision Inside this innovative T2 supplier, the entire culture is focused on continual improvement: in product development, in partnership, in sustainability measures, and in operational processes. Even in turbulent times for global economies, OrthoLite is never complacent about creating a culture of innovation. Part one is clarity of vision. Part two is empowering every employee to explore, discover and create new and better pathways to reaching that shared vision. Industry visionary, Juan Luis Albertos, resides as the general manager and sales manager of OrthoLite Europe where he and his team cultivate this same culture in Almansa. He has built a structure of trust and accountability, with the clarity of vision to improve the supply chain for our partners.
It’s under these ethos that the OrthoLite Europe team combines their expertise of the highest caliber with a deep knowledge in shoemaking to create an amazing resource for the world’s most prestigious footwear brands. Due to increased demand, OrthoLite Europe quadrupled its footprint and capacity in 2024. The factory has become a vital asset for brands requiring EU-based supply chain partners while at the same time, offering the high standards of quality, service, and regulatory transparency essential to their operations.
Agility Built in by Design
If anything, a more challenging global landscape is a positive jolt to OrthoLite’s innovative spirit because it sets another parameter for delivering products that serve the company’s vision for footwear and for the realities of the moment. Why does that matter to footwear brands and T1 factories? OrthoLite’s global production infrastructure is responsive to changing market conditions and needs. It provides the ability to navigate around supply chain disruptions and geopolitical shifts with minimal disruption to its brand partners. Brands can expect clear communication and benefi t from OrthoLite’s 99% on-time delivery rate. Explore OrthoLite Europe at www.ortholite.com.
