No. 1 February 2019
“A new tannery surfaces”
“It looks like fish leather is thriving! After Femer, an artisanal tannery operating in a short circuit with fishmongers from the Arcachon basin, it's the turn of a trio of 3 young green chemistry engineers to take the plunge. Their concept? To enhance existing resources and reinvent chemistry to shift environmental paradigms without compromising on performance.
Still in the midst of product research and development with the support of CTC (Professional Development Committee for Leather, Footwear, Leather Goods, and Gloves) a few months ago, a new tannery project is set to emerge this year. The young team intends to effectively utilize unvalued fish skins – estimated at 50,000 tons in France alone – to transform them into leather, preferably using vegetable or synthetic tanning methods. Their environmental approach has resonated with ADC, a support mechanism for business development within the French Leather Industry, which will assist them for the next three years.
Meanwhile, the Entreprendre Rhône network is financially supporting the startup in its initial investments: four tanning drums, a fleshing machine, a press, a spray booth, and a staking machine. Recently established in Saint-Fons near Lyon in a 250m² facility, it aims for a production target of 2000 skins per month, intended for the small leather goods, jewelry, and watchmaking markets. The first orders for salmon leathers, primarily in shades of black, red, blue, gold, and brown, are currently underway.
Marketed under the name SQUAMA®, the product offers several benefits: the grain, very tight, is perfectly symmetrical across the entire skin surface. And despite being finely worked, it proves to be extremely resistant, three times more so than crocodile skin. More flexible and elastic, SQUAMA® is also hypoallergenic. Custom development in exclusive shades and finishes is available for a minimum of 100 leathers, each measuring 55 to 65 centimeters long and 10 to 15 centimeters wide.
Written by Juliette Sebille