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 Michael Meyer
Young Leather Scientist Grants 2023 (now postponed until 2024) please contact us for more information
IUR Criteria for Platform Technologies
IUR criteria for platform technologies include Research and Development projects for:
- New chemicals, which are safe in use and harmless to health and environment after application
- New process technologies, which minimize the generation of waste, by-products and pollution of waste water
- New process technologies, which lead to a better carbon footprint of leather
- New engineering technologies and applications, which offer reuse or recycling options for generated process waste
- leather articles with a long durability, good biodegradability or new recycling options
IUR Certification Process for Leather R&D Projects - Help for project funding
In early 2010 the IUR released a certification process which would recognize legitimate R&D projects in institutes, companies and universities testifying that the proposed project would:
- Conform to industry approved Research Platforms,
- Meet minimum scientific criteria for integrity of research design,
- Address identified needs of the global leather industry.
It is our belief that certification from a global authenticating body such as the IUR could elevate the importance of a proposed project in an appropriation request or project funding competition, thus assisting the applicant in obtaining necessary project funding by allowing the project to get prioritized above other R&D proposals.
The IUR can ensure applicants that any identified confidential information provided for evaluation will not be disclosed and will be treated with 100% confidentiality if requested.
The intent of this process is to once again promote the use of this available instrument. Application for certification is simple and provides legitimate support from the IULTCS for leather projects.
More detailed process information and the necessary application steps are laid out in the attachments below.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly by email if there are any questions (contact Michael Meyer)
Young Leather Scientist Grants 2022
Leather Naturally Support the IULTCS Young Leather Scientist Grant Programme 2022
The 2022 YLSG will have two monetary grants in the following areas: Leather Research Grant (€ 1.500) and Mike Redwood Sustainability Grant (€ 1.000) funded by Leather Naturally.
Please submit the applications to Dr Michael Meyer, IUR Chair at Michael Meyer.
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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
Information on the approved Research Project Plan
| Date | Scientist | Institution | Country | Title | Email Address | Research Proposal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Dr. A. Gnamanani | CSIR-CLRI | India | Leather and leather apparel DNA Barcoding: An approach to develop genetic algorithm based scanner for identification of animal origin | Click here to contact | Secret Review |
| 2016 | Dr. Sanjeev Gupta | CLRI | India | Nano-Finish Formulations for High Performance Leathers | Click here to contact | Download |
| 2015 | Dr. Marco Nogarole | Ikem Srl | Italy | GREEN LIFE: GREEN Leather Industry For the Environment | Click here to contact | Download |
Global Leather R&D Organizations
Please click to choose between the Spreadsheet view or the Interactive Map to obtain the information.
We appreciate your help with additions and corrections.
IUR Scientific documents
Database of Leather Congresses and Regional Meetings
We appreciate your collaboration by sending us information of other events with programs.
| 2020 Events | Location | Program |
| SLTC 123rd International Conference | The University of Northampton – UK | Download |
| 2017 Events | Location | Program |
| 6th Freiberg Leather Days | Oisterwijk, Netherlands | Download |
| 113th ALCA Convention | Pinehurst, USA | Download |
| XXXIV IULTCS Congress | Chennai, India | Download |
| 2016 Events | Location | Program |
| 5th Freiberg Leather Days | Freiberg, Germany | Download |
| 112th ALCA Convention | Oglebay, USA | Download |
| XXXIV IULTCS Congress | Chennai, India | Download |
| 2015 Events | Location | Program |
| 4th Freiberg Leather Days | Freiberg, Germany | |
| 111th ALCA Convention | Pinehurst, USA | Download |
| XXXIII IULTCS Congress | Novo Hamburgo, Brazil | Download |
| 2014 Events | Location | Program |
| 3rd Freiberg Leather Days | Freiberg, Germany | |
| AICLST | Okayama, Japan | Download |
| 110th ALCA Convention | Saratoga Springs, USA | Download |
| 2013 Events | Location | Program |
| 2nd Freiberg Leather Days | Freiberg, Germany | |
| XXXII IULTCS Congress | Istanbul, Turkey | Download |
| 109th ALCA Convention | Pinehurst, USA | Download |