Minerva Leather and Life Cycle Assessment: an interview on the company's perspective for the CICB Sustainability Forum

As a reference in the leather sector, Minerva Leather plays a significant role in identifying trends, movements, and innovations for the entire market. The group's perspective on topics such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) serves as a relevant guide for the industry's future directions and projections.

In the following interview, Murilo Corrêa Diattei, Sustainability Coordinator at Minerva Leather, shares the company's projects related to this topic and its participation in the CICB Sustainability Forum. The event will take place on 19 March in Novo Hamburgo (RS) during the Fimec trade fair. The central theme: Life Cycle Assessment in the Leather Industry.

The CICB Sustainability Forum is an initiative of the Brazilian Leather project, a partnership between the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The Gold sponsors of this edition include Stahl Leather, Abrameq with Master, NBN, Bremm Beck e Michelon, and Minerva Leather. Silver sponsors: Getti, Viposa, Vancouros, and Sincurt. Register here: https://cicb.org.br/forum2025/ 

Is your organisation already preparing for projects related to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

Minerva Foods, through the Renove Programme of our subsidiary MyCarbon, focuses on engaging and supporting livestock farmers in implementing regenerative and low-carbon emission practices. Minerva Leather, in turn, has already participated in LCAs conducted by finished leather customers, contributing data from the farm of origin to the wet blue stage. In 2025, we are launching our own comprehensive LCA study, covering not only leather but also meat and other by-products.

What is your analysis of market perspectives and consumer demands related to LCA in the leather sector?

Besides becoming a central theme in the leather industry, LCA aligns with the expectations of more demanding consumers regarding production and conscious consumption practices. In this context, we highlight:

Market Perspectives

Sustainability: The demand for sustainable products is growing, and LCA helps identify and mitigate environmental impacts, making leather more appealing to conscious consumers.

Innovation: Companies are investing in cleaner and more efficient technologies and processes, driven by LCA findings.

Transparency: Consumers and brands demand greater transparency about the origin and impact of leather products, which LCA can provide through its methodology.

Market Demands

Animal Welfare: Guarantees of animal welfare are increasingly important to consumers.

Carbon Footprint: There is a rising demand for decarbonisation practices, and LCA can guide these initiatives through a holistic approach, considering all environmental impacts.

Collaboration: The industry is seeking collaborations between tanneries, brands, suppliers, and sustainability experts to implement the best practices identified through LCA, including collaborative assessments such as the Higg Index MSI platform.

What are your organisation’s expectations for the CICB Sustainability Forum?

Minerva Leather has been actively participating in the CICB Sustainability Forum, recognising it as an essential platform for exchanges among key players in the leather value chain. For 2025, we anticipate a highly significant event, serving as a catalyst for sustainability in the industry, particularly given its focus on LCA. The discussions are expected to address in detail how LCA can be applied to reduce environmental impacts, present new technologies, and promote debates on how government policies can support more sustainable practices in the leather industry. Regarding the audience, the forum provides an opportunity for networking and benchmarking among professionals, a space to hear consumers’ and stakeholders’ concerns, and a means to raise awareness about the importance of sustainability throughout the leather life cycle.

How do you assess the evolution of sustainability in the leather industry in recent years?

Sustainability in the leather industry has advanced significantly in recent years, with notable progress in several areas, yet some key challenges remain.

Advances

Technology & Traceability: The adoption of advanced technologies and individual traceability systems has enhanced transparency and efficiency in the supply chain.

Cleaner Processes: The chemical industry has contributed to cleaner and more efficient leather processing, with the introduction of biodegradable inputs and the replacement of toxic substances.

Animal Welfare: There is a growing focus on this aspect, with suppliers being held to stricter sustainability standards.

Circular Economy: The industry has adopted practices such as waste reutilisation and traceability of raw materials.

Challenges

Raw Material Quality: Issues such as parasite damage and hot iron branding.

Infrastructure: The sector’s competitiveness depends on structural investments.

Sustainability & Traceability: While progress has been made, full traceability and the widespread adoption of sustainable practices remain key challenges.

Production Costs: High costs associated with sustainable processes and environmental compliance can be prohibitive for some companies.