STRATEGIC AXES
A strategy to transform the sector
We turn the global challenges facing the sector into six axes of action that drive the competitiveness of the entire leather value chain
GLOBAL CHALLENGES
The challenges facing the sector
Today’s challenges are neither local nor confined to a single sector: they are global, interconnected and systemic, and can only be addressed through a strategic, collective vision.
01Sustainability pressure
New European regulations on ESG, traceability, emissions and chemicals, a growing demand for transparency across the entire value chain, and pressure from brands and consumers are redefining the rules of the game.
This is not merely an environmental question, but one of market access.
02Shifting consumer perceptions
The global debate on materials, media and reputational pressure, and consumers who are increasingly demanding in matters of ethics, origin and sustainability all challenge the sector directly.
The challenge is not only technical: it is one of narrative and positioning.
03Geopolitics and the supply chain
Global instability, trade tensions, risks to the supply of raw materials and shifting trade flows are forcing a rethink of the value chain.
Its resilience must be strengthened and its dependence on external supply reduced.
04Global competition: cost or value
Competition from lower-cost countries and constant pressure on prices make it increasingly difficult to compete on volume.
The choice is a strategic one: to compete on cost or to compete on value.
05Talent and generational renewal
The industry’s limited appeal to young people, the loss of traditional knowledge and the need for new profiles in technology, sustainability and management put the continuity of the craft at risk.
The real risk is the loss of productive capacity and know-how.
06Technological transformation
The digitalisation of processes, new materials and technologies, and the need for constant investment are transforming the way we produce.
The challenge is not to adopt technology, but to integrate it into the business model.
07A changing global market
The growth of premium markets, higher quality standards and direct relationships with global brands are reshaping demand.
The market is moving from volume to value, and from product to experience.
SIX STRATEGIC AXES
Six axes, one shared strategy
Value chain, sustainability, innovation, people, identity and international presence: the axes through which Leather Cluster Barcelona responds to the challenges facing the sector and strengthens the competitiveness of the entire value chain.
Each axis brings together projects, services and partnerships for companies, brands and institutions, and all of them rest on a common foundation: creating shared value for businesses, for the region and for society as a whole.
Value Chain
An industry built on excellence, ethics and traceability
Ethics as a fundamental value, in life and in business.
The leather value chain in Catalonia is a highly specialised, resilient and competitive economic driver, responding directly to the most demanding quality and service standards of international fashion, leather goods and accessories brands.
Through this area, we coordinate synergies that strengthen the operational efficiency of the business community, bringing together everyone from raw material suppliers to the chemical and advanced machinery industries. This industrial excellence rests on sound practices: animal welfare, raw material traceability and internationally recognised certifications such as the Leather Working Group.
Sustainability
A sustainable and circular value chain
Towards zero waste, with the efficient use of water and energy.
The ecosystem’s environmental commitment translates into large-scale collective projects and ecological transition services led by the sector itself, with the IDR wastewater treatment plant as a pioneering example of cooperation. We work continuously on the recovery of by-products and organic waste, with the aim of advancing towards a zero-waste model.
We promote transparent auditing systems and practical solutions to minimise the water and energy footprint of factories, with self-sufficiency and the reduction of CO₂ emissions as our horizon. Through cooperation, we guarantee fashion houses a secure, responsible supply chain aligned with European environmental regulations.
Innovation
Research, Industry 4.0 and new materials
Technology as a means of providing traceability, improving animal welfare, optimising resources and increasing added value.
The future of the material is built on leather science and technology transfer. We develop applied research projects on new processes and new materials, and we adopt Industry 4.0 tools, such as the use of artificial intelligence to grade hides.
Structured around the A3 Leather Innovation Center, this area acts as a bridge between scientific knowledge and the real needs of the market. We take part in international research and collaboration projects, and we investigate fields such as biomaterials and biotechnology to offer innovative solutions across the entire value chain.
People
Talent, training and generational renewal
Training as the foundation for personal, professional, social and business development.
The continuity of excellence depends on professional training and the rigorous transmission of knowledge. We run high-level training programmes and specialised practical workshops designed to meet the real needs of today’s industry, connecting young talent with companies in the sector and ensuring generational renewal.
Our training offer spans the material’s entire value chain: from classic leather goods techniques to engineering, environmental management and design, with programmes such as the international master’s degree in leather technology and the vocational training offered by La Gaspar, as well as tailored continuing education for companies and designers.
Identity
More than a thousand years of tanning tradition
A tradition of more than a thousand years that gives the region its own identity.
Leather is a noble material with a profound cultural, historical and creative legacy, the fruit of a long tanning tradition in the region. Through this area, we work to preserve the memory of the craft, with the Museus de la Pell as a point of reference, and to connect it directly with the fashion of today, conveying the savoir-faire and authenticity of leather to the contemporary consumer.
We promote cultural initiatives, design competitions and strategic communication campaigns to champion the value of leather as a natural, durable product intrinsically bound to the identity of the region. By building a brand narrative grounded in craftsmanship and living tradition, we add an emotional dimension and a sense of prestige that elevate the standing of our product in the international market.
International Reach
Communication, design and internationalisation
It is not just about exporting, but about connecting with the world.
The cluster’s competitiveness is consolidated by projecting it beyond the region. We build visibility through brand, narrative and international presence, and we coordinate a unified presence for our companies at the sector’s leading showcases.
Beyond promotion abroad, the internationalisation area is responsible for forging lasting partnerships with peer clusters, industry federations and sector institutions, and for taking part in global networks such as the cluster network promoted by ACCIÓ. This collaboration allows us to open up new market opportunities for our members and to help them connect with leading global brands.
