Press Releases and Latest Industry Information
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 8th June 2021
LHCA announced that its Annual Meeting and Convention will be held in Chicago this October, likely with a virtual component for those who cannot travel. Last year's meeting was held virtually due to restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19. Plus, the U.S. announced it is suspending proposed tariffs on Italian leather imports, among other products, while the government continues to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing Digital Services Tax dispute. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 1st June 2021
New research released by LHCA reviews the relationship between hides and cattle farming, finding that hide prices exert no direct influence on cattle numbers. This research, which tracks data over 25 years, cements the fact that hides are by-products of the dairy and meat industries -- not economic drivers for either industry - and underscores the environmental imperative of converting hides to leather, rather than discarding them in landfills. Also, LHCA announced the first-round winners of its 2021 Student Design Competition in Taiwan. read more
Using leather does not mean more cattle are reared, finds research
Thursday, 27th May 2021
he number of cattle reared for meat and dairy production would remain the same even if people stopped buying leather, says new research published today. However, the environmental impact would be significant. The burning or disposal in landfills of 33 million unused US hides would generate more than 750,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions every year – and fill all US landfill sites within four years. Globally this would see 300 million hides wasted and 6.6 million tons of surplus emissions every year. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 25th May 2021
LHCA released its second consecutive annual evaluation of hide waste, finding approximately 14.5 percent of U.S. cattle hides in 2020 failed to enter the domestic or global leather supply chain. Also, the Food Safety and Inspection Service issued new instructions to inspection personnel regarding mask wearing and physical distancing in response to recently revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. read more
Looking to reduce waste? Choose real leather
Thursday, 20th May 2021
Washington, DC, May 20, 2021 – Zero-waste pledges and concepts like upcycling, while seemingly novel, long predate their widespread adoption. In fact, our ancestors demonstrated most clearly their commitment to the environment and the preservation of our planet by following these practices even before they were in vogue. This is perhaps best exemplified in their conversion of hides and skins – byproducts of meat and dairy production – to beautiful, durable, and sustainable leather products. Now, a new infographic from the Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) shines a light on the environmental costs of using imitation products and synthetics, mostly made from plastics and other non-renewable sources, as opposed to real leather in finished consumer goods. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 18th May 2021
LHCA announced the Real Leather. Stay Different. global student design competition has entered its next phase in China, as 55 contestants, out of more than 800 entrants, were chosen to develop samples of their innovative leather designs. LHCA also continues to monitor, and actively engage on, issues impacting U.S. hides, skin and leather trade. As part of these efforts, LHCA last week joined dozens of other agriculture associations in calling for the immediate appointment and swift confirmation of a Chief Agriculture Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 11th May 2021
May is shaping up to be a busy month on the trade front, as concerns continue to mount over shipping challenges hindering the U.S. agricultural sector, including hides, skin, and leather exports. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will appear before committees in the House and Senate this week to answer questions related to President Biden's 2021 trade agenda. Plus, the latest hides, skin and leather monthly trade data through March 2021 is now available, with salted hides exports showing particularly strong volume and value growth compared to the same period in 2020. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 4th May 2021
As the shipping crisis continues to hamper U.S. agricultural exports, including hides, skin, and leather exports, LHCA remains actively engaged in policy discussions with Congress and the Biden Administration to push for swift relief. Last week, as part of these efforts, LHCA joined nearly 300 organizations in urging Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to leverage the Department of Transportation's existing authority to address ongoing shipping challenges facing U.S. exporters. Plus, our latest Real Leather. Stay Different. blog post details leather's sustainability - tracing it back more than 5,500 years. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 27th April 2021
LHCA yesterday unveiled the second in a series of videos as part of an international campaign communicating the natural, sustainable and durable nature of leather. The powerful video features Yoyo Sun, a Muay Thai champion and sport and fashion blogger with more than two million followers. Also, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann recently participated in several panel discussions and podcasts addressing leather's sustainability. read more
Leather and Hide Weekly
Tuesday, 20th April 2021
Thank you to all LHCA members who attended last week's virtual Spring Board of Directors and Strategic Planning meeting. Your participation and engagement contributed to a productive and successful event. Also, LHCA President Stephen Sothmann will participate this week in a webinar hosted by APLF that addresses the environmental impact of discarded hides as well as common misleading claims embraced by makers of leather alternatives. Plus, the Leather Research Lab at the University of Cincinnati is seeking a senior research associate to join its dedicated team of experts. read more