A global trendsetter and the world’s largest exporter of leather, Italy is a key territory for research, business, and development within the tanning industry. Its leading trade fair, Lineapelle, will hold its 107th edition from February 11 to 13, in Milan, featuring five Brazilian tanneries with individual booths. The participation of Brazilian leather in the event is supported by the Brazilian Leather project, carried out through a partnership between the Brazilian Tanners Association (CICB) and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil).
The Brazilian exhibiting tanneries are Couro e Arte, Courovale, Curtume Bolzano, Fuga Couros, and Nova Kaeru. The five companies will present developments for the Summer 2027 fashion collections. At the invitation of Lineapelle’s trend committee, exhibitors from around the world were encouraged to showcase increasingly natural and authentic materials, in which the sensory dimension plays a central role—an environment highly conducive to leather creativity. In its February 2025 edition, Lineapelle welcomed nearly 25,000 visitors, including 18,800 buyers, figures that are expected to be repeated in 2026.
Last year, Italian importers ranked third among the largest buyers of Brazilian leather, behind China and Hong Kong and the United States. Approximately 45% of the leather purchased by Italy from Brazil is finished or semi-finished, meaning products with higher added value. To further strengthen this trade relationship, Brazilian Leather will carry out communication and marketing initiatives at Lineapelle, as well as promote the CICB Sustainability Forum—an event scheduled for March 4, in Novo Hamburgo, during FIMEC.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. The Agency carries out a wide range of trade promotion initiatives, including business and trade missions, matchmaking events, support for Brazilian companies at major international trade fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to experience Brazil’s productive structure, among other business platforms aimed at strengthening the Brazil brand. ApexBrasil also works in coordination with public and private stakeholders to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors that enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
More information: apexbrasil.com.br
About Brazilian Leather
Brazilian Leather is a sectoral project aimed at the internationalization of Brazilian leather, led by the Brazilian Tanners Association (CICB) in partnership with ApexBrasil. The project adopts several strategies to consolidate Brazilian leather in foreign markets, including encouraging tanneries’ participation in major global trade fairs and organizing business missions focused on strengthening relationships between Brazilian suppliers and international buyers.
More information: www.brazilianleather.com.br
About CICB
The Brazilian Tanners Association (CICB) represents companies that produce leather in Brazil. Founded in 1957, CICB has continuously worked toward the growth, qualification, strengthening, and unity of the sector. Sustainability is the organization’s guiding principle, underpinning its activities in technology projects and professional training, dialogue with government authorities, commercial promotion of leather and advocacy, reputation building and image promotion, technical and design qualification, research, and market intelligence. CICB also plays an institutional role by fostering dialogue across the production chain and organizing working groups—such as Traceability and Communication—with member companies throughout the country.
