Pure Origin to shine spotlight on sustainable leather solutions

The upcoming edition of Pure Origin, the section of the Pure London trade show dedicated to fashion sourcing and manufacturing, will be focusing on innovations and tech driving sustainable leather solutions.

The manufacturing and supply chain expo, which will be taking place alongside Pure London between the 21 and 23 July at London Olympia, will be focusing on solutions to environmental issues from some of the industry’s most innovative suppliers and manufacturers. As part of this, a brand-new leather tanning agent called Olivenleder from German sustainable leather solutions business Wet-green will be showcased. Made using olive leaves, the agent is designed to offer a less-harmful alternative to the traditional leather production process.

Thomas Lamparter, head of sales at Wet-green, told Pure London: “Leather is such a lovely material, with so many unique characteristics. If we want to ensure that future generations recognise leather as a sustainable and ethical material, we need to provide the solutions to prove this.

“Leather is a by-product of the meat industry; as long as people eat meat, we can use the skin as a long-lasting and natural fabric rather than creating artificial materials which ultimately pollute our environment. Skin is a naturally biodegradable product and as long as it’s treated in a way that maintains its integrity it will retain this property. That’s why we use olive leaves.”

Wet-green said that a collaboration with a "major German fashion label" is the company's first entry into the fashion industry, and said a range of accessories, garments and shoes made of Olivenleder will be introduced before the end of the year.

Photo credit: Pure Origin