Sustainability
Comparative environmental assessment of the Catalan leather value chain
Duration
€890,000
Budget
6
Partners
Summary
Partnership mapping water and energy use, effluent loads, and side-stream reuse across tanning and finishing plants, using aligned metrics for SMEs and larger sites.
Project description
This project frames a multi-site study on resource efficiency in Catalan tanneries, from wet-blue outlets through finishing halls, with academic and industry co-leads.
Indicators emphasise normalised intensity metrics, effluent quality after treatment, and routes for shives, fleshings, and sludge where valorisation is viable.
A synthesis chapter links findings to upcoming procurement criteria from premium footwear and accessories brands.
Scope and milestones
Geographic scope follows cluster members and selected chemical suppliers; datasets are anonymised before publication.
Outcomes
- Baseline report with improvement corridors for water and thermal energy.
- Shared data dictionary for future cross-cutting programmes.
- Stakeholder webinar and printed summary for partners.
“Shared measurement is how the cluster proves progress to buyers who audit the chain.”
Final handover includes archiving of technical annexes with the cluster secretariat.
Phases
Phase 1
Baseline survey and measurement-point sign-off per site.
Phase 2
Intensive sampling across rinses and treated effluent streams.
Phase 3
Scenario modelling to rank reduction measures.
Phase 4
Results pack and structured feedback with mill teams.
Phase 5
Feed shortlisted improvements into pilot capex planning.
Phase 6
Shift-level training refresh and document updates.
Phase 7
Independent review of technical annexes and charts.
Phase 8
Final handover and strategy uptake by the cluster board.
Partners