Active since 1966 in Ponte a Egola, Vesta Corporation is a benchmark for the processing of heavy leathers and lighter calfskins. The company works with both the world of elegant women’s footwear and luxury leather goods brands, as well as the technical and premium sportswear market, offering chrome and metal free tanned leathers.
At the end of the year, the Tuscan tannery published its first Sustainability Report “a choice not due but desired, by those who in recent years have directed their investments and resources towards the development of an increasingly responsible production and business management model,” as stated in the press release.
The information contained therein refers to the year 2022 and, where possible, data from the previous year is reported, in order to allow comparability of data over time and to assess the performance of Vesta’s activities. Sustainability is an objective-driven path, which is why the comparison allows us to concretely measure the growth of the company, which is committed to continuing this reporting from year to year. The improvement actions already implemented by Vesta involve corporate responsibility from an environmental, social and governance point of view. They translate, for example, into the innovation of the heating system and processing (with the creation of a new bottling department with 4.0 technology), which guarantee significant energy, water and economic savings. In addition to the numerous company certifications, there are also the Raw Material Traceability certification with an EXCELLENT score and Carbon and Water footprint analyses.
As a demonstration of its commitment to improving the company’s performance, the Leather Working Group’s rating (which measures the environmental performance of leather manufacturers for environmentally friendly production and systemic management of quality, environment, safety and ethics) has been upgraded from BRONZE (2020) to GOLD in 2023. This also includes the code of ethics adopted by Vesta, which guides the daily work of the company and its employees, charting the course for future goals. Achieving energy independence is one of the most important steps looming on the horizon, through the installation of a photovoltaic system. This is accompanied by the realisation of a project to fully offset its CO2 emissions for the year reported and certified. This neutrality will be achieved through the acquisition of credits from UN-certified projects, such as the construction of a major hydroelectric plant, to which Vesta is contributing.
At the production level, the company’s research is focusing on the development of solutions that reduce water and energy consumption, as well as the implementation of circular dynamics through the adoption of more and more products that are considered bio-based, guaranteeing a more sustainable end-of-life for products and waste. Vesta’s 40 employees and the territory in which it operates are and will continue to be central to the company’s vision, which is committed to constantly improving their well-being and development.
S.C. Costruzioni Meccaniche presents the HOTMIX line
S.C. Costruzioni Meccaniche designs, manufactures and installs auxiliary plants and equipment for various industrial sectors, especially tannery machinery and purification plants. The Hotmix line stands out among the top plants: plants designed to optimise the mixing (and also the dosing) of numerous chemical substances such as more or less viscous fluids, powders of various granulometry to be diluted in liquids, and variously consistent pastes. They consist of a tank into which the ingredients are placed, which are then suitably agitated and heated to homogenise and generate the desired mixture.
Numerous configurations are possible, from a simple container with manual loading to a fully automated plant that can be managed via PLC.
These are the main features of the Hotmix systems:
– The size range goes from a minimum volume of 500 litres to the largest with a volume of 12000 litres.
– It is possible to have the tank on the ground or resting on a walkable mezzanine; this second solution facilitates the unloading of the mixture obtained, without the aid of lifting pumps.
– The tank can be placed on load cells, for real-time weight control.
– To speed up and facilitate mixing, the holding tank can be heated either by electricity or with hot fluids according to the customer’s requirements.
– It is possible to equip the system with suction outlets for the fumes/exhaust fumes produced and with an external blast chiller in accordance with the regulations in force.
– Inside the tank, the rotating device known as the ‘agitator’ can be either a ‘paddle’ with variously shaped paddles, or an ‘anchor’ with scrapers on the bottom and side wall.
– Ingredient supply can be manual or via piping with electrically or pneumatically servo-controlled shut-off valves. Electric and/or pneumatic pumps are installed upstream to take the substances from the storage silos and push them to the mixing plant.
– The most advanced configuration with load cells, ingredient adduction through piping, with shut-off valves and feed pumps make it possible to fully automate the entire process, completely freeing operators from the risks of handling chemicals.
– The plant is also set up in environments subject to ATEX regulations.
– S.C. Costruzioni Meccaniche also manufactures AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel silos for the storage of chemical products, in the shapes and sizes required by the customer.
– S.C. can supply and install at the customer’s premises the complete plant with piping, electrical equipment and the necessary software for managing the entire mixing cycle.
JBS invests 9 million for traceability in Pará
At COP 28 in Dubai, last December, JBS announced a USD 9 million investment to support livestock supply chain traceability in the state of Pará, a state in northern Brazil that includes a large slice of the dense and lush Amazon Rainforest. The commitment of the Brazilian meat giant focuses on improving the livelihoods of farmers and local communities and eliminating the economic causes of deforestation.
Today we take an important step by partnering with private funds to launch this initiative, aiming to have 100% of the state’s cattle tagged for individual traceability from birth to slaughter by 2026. This ensures, on one hand, integrity and transparency for the productive chain in the region. It also needs to be done with support for the producer, enabling them to access the benefits that this traceability provides, opening up markets
Helder Barbalho, Governor of Pará
Pará Governor Helder Barbalho said in Dubai at COP 28.
To accelerate adoption of the Pará Plan, JBS will invest $9 million over the next three years to help smallholders offset the cost of animal identification tags and provide technical assistance to help producers make a living in the Amazon without clearing more forest.
Today’s announcement from the government of Pará is a turning point in the fight against deforestation. JBS offers its full and unequivocal support of this effort as we believe full traceability with government support is critical to eliminating deforestation. Recognizing that one of the greatest drivers of deforestation is the lack of economic opportunity for local producers, JBS has already begun providing financial assistance and technical expertise to producers to tag and track cattle in Marabá, and ensuring extension services are available to producers across the state through four JBS Green Offices.
Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS Global CEO
In November, JBS successfully initiated a first-of-its-kind individual animal ID pilot project in partnership with Allflex and NGO partners at the Friboi facility in Marabá, located in the state of Pará. The goal is to extend the pilot to all farms that directly supply the Marabá facility. The company will support additional project partners and the state government in commencing trials at cow-calf farms, enabling full cattle traceability from birth.
Silvateam S.p.A. and wet-green GmbH now jointly set the benchmark in plant-based tanning technology
On 16 February, Silvateam S.p.A., a world leader in the production of vegetable tannins, announced that it is the new majority owner of wet-Green GmbH, pioneer of the patented wet-green® technology for Olivenleder®, after acquiring the company from MB-Holding GmbH. This strategic alliance will be the “North Star” for sustainable innovations in the leather industry.
Silvateam S.p.A., with over 170 years of experience in tannin production and leading the way in leather innovation with the Ecotan® brand, and wet-green GmbH, a revolutionary company in eco-friendly tanning solutions, are together setting a new standard in leather manufacturing. This partnership sends a clear signal to the industry: the future lies in sustainable, plant-based solutions.
Silvateam core capabilities in the supply chain and production of plant-based extracts will allow Olivenleder® tanning agent manufacture to be streamlined for the required scaling up in leather making process.
Olivenleder®, known for its 100% bio-based tanning agent wet-green® OBE, represents the apex of sustainable tanning technology and ideally complements Silvateam’s bio-circular Ecotan® range. Significantly, Olivenleder® is considered a “Game Changer” in wet-green’s activities, introducing a vegetable-based pre-tanning agent that for the first time in the history of the leather industry, allows for the production of vegetable-tanned nappa-like, soft and rapid to produce leather. This breakthrough symbolizes a synergy of time-tested methods and revolutionary innovation, with Olivenleder® crowning their joint efforts for eco-conscious actions.
The strategic collaboration brings a significant advantage to the market: the combined use of Ecotan® and Olivenleder® will enable brands to build strong green credentials using both certification labels, culminating in the industry’s highest standard available for sustainable leather products. This integration of technologies and certifications underscores the partnership’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for environmental responsibility and best practices in the leather industry.
Antonio Battaglia, Business Unit Leather Director at Silvateam, states: “This partnership is a turning point for the entire industry. We are setting new standards and demonstrating that sustainable tanning technologies are not only feasible but also the way forward. Olivenleder® added to Silvateam full range of wet-end products will allow an unprecedented ability to innovate in sustainable leather technology.”
Ecotan®, known for its low environmental footprint and superior quality, offers a range of eco-friendly tanning methods, including high performance plant-based tanning and chrome-free and GTA-free wet-white tanning. Ecotan® is the first biocircular leather tanning technology, 100% free of metals, making a recyclable, healthy and nature-inspired leather tanning possible. wet-green® OBE, meeting the requirements for a biocircular leather, perfectly complements the Ecotan® technology, together establishing a new comprehensive standard for the leather industry.
With this partnership, Silvateam S.p.A. and wet-green GmbH establish a new benchmark in the leather sector, embodying sustainability and innovation. It represents a clear commitment to a more environmentally friendly and responsible future in leather manufacturing.
GEA GOMMA: the ‘masters’ of ‘sole crepe’
The story of GEA GOMMA SRL is a family history, but also a story of commitment to the pursuit of quality by drawing on the natural heritage. In fact, the company was founded in Vigevano in 1952 on the intuition of Giuseppe Bonomi, who realised the potential of natural rubber for footwear production. This is how GEA GOMMA soon became a European leader in the production of natural rubber for footwear, an activity that is carried on today with commitment and success by the founder’s children: Daniela Bonomi, flanked by her three sons, William, Paola and Stefano Grivel.
The production complex we see today is the result of the expansion that took place in 1969, with the transfer of the business to Castello d’Agogna. In the industrial warehouses, which occupy an area of about 14,000 square metres, the entire process of manufacturing natural rubber, known internationally as ‘sole crepe’, takes place. The manufacturing process of the rubber soling sheets follows a strict and precise specification, which aims to guarantee the highest product quality and total respect for the environment.
The special processing to which natural rubber for footwear is subjected is technologically innovative, making GEA GOMMA one of the leading brands in the footwear accessories sector.
The manufacturing process of natural para rubber is environmentally friendly and non-polluting, consisting of the processing of natural raw rubber obtained from the latex of the Hevea Brasiliensis plant. The latex is purchased from plantations in South-East Asia, which produce the best quality rubber, and by means of mills, mixers and calenders, the raw rubber is processed into sheets of different thicknesses and colours. This process not only produces shoe soles of the highest quality, but also a rubber that is not chemically treated and retains its characteristics. This process, moreover, has the added value of not producing fumes, vapours, dust, and environmentally polluting waste. Moreover, any processing residue can be reused in the production cycle.
FLYTECH SOLES: crafting the future of footwear between tradition and innovation
Founded in 1998 under the name of FLYTECH SOLES P&T, but with deep roots in the footwear industry dating back to 1927, today FLYTECH SOLES is renowned for the production of soles for footwear in TR (thermoplastic rubber), EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PU (polyurethane) and for a series of handcrafted solutions that combine the art of traditional soles with modern technological achievements.
In fact, it is worth mentioning that FLYTECH SOLES was the first company in Poland to start producing EVA soles: a pioneering initiative that underlined the company’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge practices and technologies in the industry.
Strategically located in Central Europe, FLYTECH SOLES has capitalised on its location to effectively meet the needs of the Eastern and Central European markets. This prime location improves their distribution and logistics, allowing them to efficiently cater to the diverse needs of their extensive clientele. Additionally, with a strategic focus on Western Europe, FLYTECH SOLES is determined to expand its influence and presence in these key markets.
From its beginnings as a family-run shoe company to its evolution into a leading manufacturer of shoe soles, FLYTECH already has many millions of pairs of soles to its credit and cooperation with leading European shoe brands. FLYTECH SOLES has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to excellence.
With roots deeply embedded in the footwear industry and an eye constantly on the horizon of technological and market trends, FLYTECH SOLES is not just keeping pace with the industry—it is actively shaping the future of footwear, reinforcing its position.
MGT Ecoline: a unique technology for PU recycling
With a view to increasingly sustainable and environmentally friendly production, on the occasion of the A+A 2023, the Italian Main Group presented to the market MGT Ecoline, a new technology that allows polyurethane waste to be recovered and reintroduced into the footwear production cycle.
Until a few years ago, it was not possible to recycle this material,” explains Davide Silvestrin, from the Technical Service of the Veneto-based technology company, “Main Group has found a way to treat it so that it can be reintroduced into the production circuit, bringing environmental and economic benefits”.
With a new peripheral system, which is added to Main Group’s machines, it is now possible to recover polyurethane production waste that until now could not be reintroduced into the process and had to be thrown away: a waste of material that impacts both environmentally and economically. As for quality, soles made from recycled polyurethane are no different from those made from virgin material in terms of physical-mechanical characteristics and therefore technical performance.
Thanks to new technologies, in recent years Main Group has made it possible to recover and reuse many materials used in the production of shoe soles such as Eva and rubber, to which polyurethane is now added, adding a strategic asset within the footwear machinery market.
More than safe the ultralight sole of FINPROJECT
The Finproject industrial group specialises in the production of ultralight materials for soles destined for the most important brands in the footwear market. For some years now, it has also entered the work footwear sector with a version of its famous (especially in the fashion world) XL EXTRALIGHT® sole, developing some important projects with leading Italian and foreign safety shoe brands. At the centre of attention is a very popular material in the urban footwear sector such as Eva, whose extreme lightness is appreciated, but which until recently was not considered sufficiently resistant for the world of safety. What changed the perspective was Finproject itself, which, thanks to its enormous experience with this ingredient, found a way to develop a new category of materials and products with technical requirements more than adequate for the demands of a work shoe.
“XL EXTRALIGHT® footwear soles, compared to other soles with the same mechanical properties, are more comfortable, lightweight, durable and high-performance,” explain Finproject. “With a weight approximately three times less than other materials, XL EXTRALIGHT® is light, flexible and durable, and also a natural shock absorber for stress-free comfort for feet and back.
In compliance with the European standards on safety, protective and occupational footwear for professional use (DIN EN ISO 20345,20346, 20347), Finproject has in fact developed XL EXTRALIGHT® INDUSTRIAL PLUS, a unique flexible and resistant material that guarantees perfect footwear grip in the most difficult environmental and working conditions: it resists oil, hydrocarbons, it can be antistatic or electrical hazard protection upon customer request, non-slip, guarantees excellent grip and compression set. The result? Lightweight and comfortable safety shoes.
Michelin soles drive the aesthetic evolution of work shoes
In recent years, the world of work footwear has undergone the most significant aesthetic transformation in the sector. Today, these shoes take their inspiration in look and colours from trainers, running shoes from the outdoor sector, bringing a rainbow of colours to the halls of the German trade fair.
The colours catch the eye but the real difference in these collections is the innovation and technology of the materials used for the uppers and soles.
Characteristics that we find in the new collections proposed by Amblers, Royer, Solid Gear and Swolx with Michelin soles developed by JV International, worldwide licensee for the design, production and distribution of Michelin soles. It is an ongoing challenge and stimulus to meet the specific needs of workers. Attention has been paid to designing soles that can provide important features for everyday safety in the workplace, such as a firm grip on the most slippery terrain when in contact with chemicals and oily substances.
Michelin soles always guarantee a high level of safety, whether in closed environments such as warehouses or workshops, or on outdoor construction sites. All while offering maximum comfort. Reducing the risk of accidents in the workplace is a priority for JV International and this is also why more and more companies are choosing the quality and safety of Michelin soles for their footwear.
TODESCO, come and see how the Purple system works
Drying leather is one of the most energy-intensive steps in the finishing process and heavily influences the calculation of the Carbon Footprint of the manufacturing process. Now technology is coming to the rescue. At the Simac Tanning Tech 2023, last September in Milan, Todesco and GSC Group presented a new technology that is the result of a three-year project in 2020 called Purple. “The idea was born and took shape in the immediate post-pandemic period, at a time when energy and gas costs were soaring,” explains Paolo Todesco. Purple is an innovative technology covered by an international patent, which reduces energy consumption during the drying of the leather after the reassembly and fixing processes.
How does it work?
“The Purple UV unit – the manager explains – is a station located at the end of the drying tunnel that eliminates temperature as a catalyst in chemical reactions: the catalyst is ultraviolet light, and this keeps the temperature of the leather below 40°”
The first industrialised system is located at Todesco’s R&D area in Creazzo (Vicenza) and operates at standard working speeds >12 m/min. According to data collected by the company, the Purple system guarantees energy savings of up to 66% compared to a steam tunnel and 73% compared to an infrared tunnel. Emissions are reduced by 57% compared to steam-powered drying and 75% compared to infrared.
“The resulting leather is less sticky after finishing due to the lower solvent content and the ‘cold’ process eliminates any sintering effect on the surface”.
The development of the Purple system saw the collaboration of the leather chemical company GSC Group, which is based just 10 km from the Todesco factory in the tanning district of Arzignano. The collaboration resulted in a chemical package specifically for the use of UV technology, with very low VOC content, and performance in line with all OEM and regulatory standards.