Thanks to its LITE concept for environmentally friendly leather production, ISA Tan Tec has a considerably smaller carbon footprint than traditional tanneries. "The demand for climate-friendly leather is greater than ever.
Last year, our sales increased by 16 percent in the footwear segment. With this investment, we're sending a clear signal — even during times of global economic downturn, it really pays to invest in sustainable technology that conserves resources," explained Thomas Schneider, founder and CEO of ISA Tan Tec.
"ISA's LITE leather is setting a new standard for the footwear industry. This tannery supports our efforts of producing environmentally better products with continuous monitoring and reduction in chemical, water and energy use."
"ISA is rethinking how energy and water are used in leather manufacturing. These efforts will change people's mindset about what can be achieved to overcome traditional supply chain performance and behavior," said Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO, The Timberland Company.
In the new production facility, a total of 280 employees will produce two million square meters of high-quality leather each year. The topping-out ceremony will be celebrated in May of 2009.
ISA Tan Tec also pursues an ambitious environmental agenda at its existing tannery in Chinese Guangzhou — with great success. Within just 18 months, the company was able to reduce its heavy oil consumption by 28 percent and decrease the electricity used in retanning by a full 76 percent.
ISA Tan Tec needs only 33 megajoules of energy to produce one square meter of wet blue leather while the industry standard is 52 megajoules according to the British Leather Technology Centre. This success is founded on the company's LITE concept. Developed in-house, it stipulates continual monitoring of energy and water consumption.
