International Union of Research Commission (IUR)
Statement of IUR mission
The optimum basis for a sustainable leather industry is a high performance leather article and a positive image of the leather making process. The development of a best practice technology, continuous improvement of the leather making process, and development of state-of-the-art eco-friendly chemicals are keys for success. These need to be supported by sound scientific processes and entrepreneurial innovation. It is the aim of the IUR to encourage global research projects and establish technology platforms to meet these requirements.
IUR Chairman
Dr. Volker Rabe
Young Leather Scientist Grants 2025
Background:
The IULTCS is committed to further intensifying co-operation between the individual member societies and to providing a platform to promote the latest innovations in the field of leather science and technology. For this reason, the latest findings in this field are shared with a broad public in the form of presentations at the global IULTCS congresses organized every two years by a regional member society.
In addition, the IULTCS would like to make a more direct contribution to leather research through its IUR Commission and at the same time provide additional support for younger scientists. For this reason, the Young Leather Scientist Grants were created to recognize outstanding achievements in three different categories by individual young scientists. The grant is freely available to the winners. Optionally, the winners are also given the opportunity to present their award-winning work at an IULTCS congress.
Award categories
- Basic Leather Research Grant– Sponsored by TYSON Leather (1500 €)
- Basic research in collagen and/or leather.
- Analytical method development
- Innovative leather processing or new chemicals thereof
- Hide/skin preservation.
- Tannery waste treatment
- Environmental studies applied to the tanneries
- Professor Mike Redwood Sustainability/Environmental Grant sponsored by Leather Naturally (1000 €)
- Innovative environmental techniques e.g. wastewater treatment, solid waste and emissions
- Studies on sustainability leather processing
- New chemicals for leather processing improving environmental impact
e.g. carbon footprint and/or water management.
- Leather Machinery/Equipment Grant sponsored by Italprogetti (1000 €)
- Innovative new machinery for leather processing
- Simplification and/or rationalization of leather production
- Increased efficiency through e.g. energy savings
Admission requirements for applicants
- Not older than 35 years (date of submission)
- Student or Scientist on a university or a leather school
- Having an advisor at his/her institution
Application Procedure:
The Document Form must be completed and saved as one PDF file only and identified as: YLSG_year_applicantname.
- Leave one empty page between the documents.
- Applications must be assigned to one of the categories.
The complete application form to be submitted to the IUR chair Dr. Volker Rabe (Volker.rabe@tfl.com) must have the following parts:
- Application Form
- Research Project Plan. Include Title, Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Hypothesis/Expected results, benefit for the local and/or global leather industry in one sentence and Literature. Maximum 3 pages.
- Curriculum Vitae of the applicant (one page)
- Curriculum Vitae of the advisor (one page)
- Letter of recommendation from the advisor (one page)
Note: Applicants that do not follow the above rules will have their submission rejected.
Award criteria & Selection:
The application will be evaluated and ranked based on the following criteria:
- Clear aim of the research
- Methods
- Expected results
- Originality of the research
- Correct citation
- Global or local benefit of the research
The qualifications of the researcher and the advisor will also be evaluated. The Selection Committee has not been established; it will be made by renowned scientists on the field.
Timeline:
- September 2, 2024, launch the YLSG 2025, with rules on the IULTCS web site and press release
- November 30, 2024, deadline for submissions
- January 30, 2025, winner selected and press release
- February 15, 2025, payment of the award and sending the IUR/IULTCS certificate
Report:
The winners must complete a final project report which has to be submitted to the IUR Commission Chair by February 28, 2026.
The report should be accompanied by a one-page review of the project by the advisor and will be posted on the IULTCS/IUR web page.
IUR Young Leather Scientist Award - Winners
| Year | Nominated | Research Proposal | Final Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2022 (Basic) | Fitsum Etefa Ahmed |
Studying anti-ectoparasitic activity of medicinal plant extracts in terms of reducing cockle damage on sheep and goat skin |
|
| Year 2022 (Environmental / Sustainability) | Louret Atsenga Andalo |
Extraction of natural dye (batalain) from beetroot peels (Beta Vulgaris) and application in Leather dyeing using bio-mordant |
|
| YLSG 2021 (Environmental / Sustainability) | Caroline Borges Agustini |
Hydrocarbons release during the biodegradation of solid waste from tanneries for biogas production. |
|
| YLSG 2021 (Basic Research) | Hon Wei Ng |
Study on molecular level collagen structure changes of enzymatic depilation using XRay Scattering |
Download |
| YLSG 2020 (Basic Research) | Dr. Megha Mehta |
Investigating the structural differences of hides, skins and leather throughout the different processing stages. |
Download |
| YLSG 2020 (Machinery) | Dr. Nilay Ork Efendioglu |
Determining leather properties required for 3d simulation programs and obtaining realistic visualizations. |
Download |
| YLSG 2020 (Environmental/Sustainability) | Dr. Wenkai Zhang |
Fate of biocides used in leather industry and their environmental impact. |
Download |
| YLSG 2019 | Ms. Catherine A. Maidment |
Investigating the proteomic profiles of cattle hide resulting in loose and tight leather throughout early processing stages |
Download |
| YLSG 2019 | Md. Shahruk Nur-A-Tomal |
Recycling tannery solid wastes and post-consumer leather products as an alternative carbon resource for steelmaking: an environmentally sustainable approach |
Download |
| YLSG 2018 | Mr. Yi Zhang |
What makes leather stronger? A mechanistic study on the effect of natural/artificial cross-links on tensile strength using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) |
Download |
| YLSG 2017 | Mr. Santiago Ortiz-Monsalve |
Treatment of tannery dye-containing effluents using native fungal strains |
Download |
| YLSG 2016 | Md. Shahruk Nur-A-Tomal |
A novel method to preserve goat skin with indigenous plant extract to reduce chloride load in the effluent |
Download |
| YLSG 2015 | Dr. Yunhang Zeng |
Investigation of Mass Transfer and Action Mechanism of Enzymes in Unhairing and Bating Processes using Fluorescence Tracing |
Download |
Global Leather R&D Organizations
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