CSCB and LWG: Sustainability in the leather industry

The leather market is an important industry for the economic development of many countries, including Brazil. Furthermore, if you are familiar with leather products, you certainly know the quality, durability, and beauty that this raw material possesses. Despite this, a lot is questioned about sustainability in the leather industry and what are the impacts of this production on the environment.

Of course, the leather sector, like any other industry segment, has points of attention in several matters, including the environmental aspect. Seeking to make this market ecologically correct, companies like Courovale adopt several sustainable measures.

These measures range from obtaining environmental certifications to the production method and the supply chain of these industries. In this text you will learn more about the leather production in the country and the main sustainable development initiatives in this market.

Leather Supply Chain

First of all, it is important to understand that leather is a sub-product of the food industry. In other words, its use is beneficial to the environment, as it avoids the waste of resources and reduces the amount of waste. Moreover, leather is a natural material that, after being correctly processed, can be transformed into a biodegradable material. This means that, by undergoing specific processes, it can be transformed into an organic material that does not cause damage to the environment, unlike synthetic fabrics derived from petroleum.

Compared to synthetic materials, for example, leather production involves fewer chemical processes and energy consumption. Remember that other petroleum-based products, such as polyester and nylon, also present environmental problems. This is because the production of these fabrics involves the release of greenhouse gases and the generation of toxic waste.

CSCB and LWG

In recent years, the leather industry has made great efforts to improve its practices and reduce its environmental impact. The CSCBBrazilian Leather Sustainability Certification – and the LWG Leather Working Group – are two examples of this. These organizations define environmental standards for leather production, as well as good sustainable production practices.

The CSCB is a voluntary certification that attests to the sustainability of Brazilian leather. It evaluates aspects such as environmental management, economic management, social responsibility, animal welfare, and final product quality.

The LWG is an international organization that sets standards for the sustainable production of leather. The LWG evaluates the leather production chain, from the tanning process to the final product, considering environmental, economic, and social aspects. The LWG helps companies improve their production practices, reduce their environmental impact, and ensure the quality of the final product.

By relying on suppliers that adopt sustainable practices, companies and major brands increase their competitiveness in the marketplace.

Committed to sustainable development, Courovale respects and defends the natural resources through measures such as

  • Traceability: Courovale’s products go through a marking procedure that allows the verification of its origin
  • Waste management: All solid waste generated during the production process is separated and sent to the waste central. There, the materials are destined to recycling or co-processing companies.
  • Water reuse: The liquid effluents are treated and 85% of the treated water is reused in production, reducing the consumption of natural resources.

If you wish to learn more about our company’s sustainable measures, please visit our website. There you will learn about our production processes, care, values, and products.