About Leather
Leather is a by-product - The main sources of raw material for the leather industry world-wide are cattle, sheep and goats, which are reared specifically for the production of meat, wool and dairy products. Typically, the value of cattle hides, sheep and goat skins represents in the region of 5-15% of the market value of an animal.
The leather industry utilizes hides and skins which would, if the industry did not exist to process them, create an enormous waste disposal problem with the attendant health hazards. Leather is a renewable natural resource - if leather was not produced, it would have to be replaced by synthetic materials derived from non-renewable resources.
Leather is used in a wide range of products from children's shoes, where it is most important for foot health to oil seals in aircraft. Leather makes a contribution to the quality of everyday life and has done so for centuries. Virtually everyone wears or uses one or more leather products on a regular basis.
The primary sources of raw material for the tanning industry are hides and skins from animals that have been accepted as fit for processing for human consumption at approved slaughterhouses, where the handling and treatment of cattle fully meets the appropriate animal welfare and hygiene requirements.
Backed by a strong raw-material base and a large reservoir of traditionally skilled and competitive labour force, the Leather Industry has an affluence of raw materials with the added strength of skilled manpower, innovative technology from the world class Institutional and support, increasing industry compliance to international environmental standards, the dedicated support of the allied industries and the Indian leather industry has made significant jump.
In addition to welfare and hygiene standards, the tanning industry recognises that the quality of the hides and skins they receive generally reflects the health, welfare and husbandry conditions, which have applied during the life of the animal. The quality, efficiency and profitability of tanners' operations depend significantly upon the quality and consistency of the raw materials that they source.