In our industry we often use vegetable tanned leather and we work hard to find the best quality raw material (leather). In this article you will learn about the top 19 tanneries (of Tuscany) and what they have in common. Beginners will get to know the best producers, while admirers of natural leather will notice that these factories don’t just produce leather, they create art. Tuscany, famous for its rich cultural heritage and tradition of producing vegetable tanned leather, is home not only to fine wines, but also to unrivaled tanneries and workshops.
The Consortium for the production of natural Italian vegetable-tanned leather brings together 19 tanneries from Tuscany (Italy), trying to save their niche in the production of high quality products and to resist the invasion of manufacturers from China. Bound by a common philosophy and deeply rooted production values, these tanneries see leather as a reflection of their identity, reflecting their essence, origin, achievements and way of life.
Founded in 1994 by a small group of Tuscan tanners, the consortium quickly gained widespread support, which led to a significant expansion of its membership in a short period of time. The consortium now has 19 associated tanneries located in Tuscany, united by a common passion for vegetable tanned leather and the adherence to uniform production standards. The Tuscan tannery district, covering the provinces of Florence and Pisa, is the exclusive Italian center for the production of high quality vegetable tanned leather. Traditional methods have been preserved here, and turning raw hides into durable leather takes time, patience and a harmonious combination of technology and expertise.
The perfection of Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather is a manifestation of time-honored skills inextricably linked to the lifestyle and culture of the place where it is produced. Acting as guarantor and ambassador, the Consortium has consolidated its commitment to Tuscan perfection at a global level. This commitment is underlined by the creation of the quality trademark “Pelle Conciata al Vegetale in Toscana” (“Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather”), a symbol that guarantees the transparency of the quality and origin of the leather produced in the tanneries belonging to the Consortium.
Presented in the form of an exquisitely designed guarantee certificate which includes a sophisticated anti-counterfeiting system, the quality label facilitates traceability for both the tannery supplier and the manufacturer of the final product. Over the years, the Consortium has been chaired by respected figures in the Tuscan tannery tradition, and its current president is Leonardo Volpi.
Members of the consortium:
ARTIGIANO DEL CUOIO
BADALASSI CARLO S.R.L
Conceria la Bretagna
Conceria WALPIER S.L.R.
CURTIBA Industria Conciaria S.p.a.
Conceria il Gabbiano S.L.R.
Conceria il Ponte
ITALPEL S.L.R.
La Perla Azzurra S.L.R.
Conceria LO STIVALE
MPG Indusria Conciaria SRL
Conceria Montana S.p.A.
Monteverdi SRL
Conceria NUOVA ALBORA s.r.l.
Conceria NUOVA GRENOBLE s.r.l.
Conceria ORICE s.r.l.
Conceria Puccini Attilio s.r.l.
Conceria TEMPESTI S.p.a.
Volpi Concerie s.r.l.
An up-to-date list of consortium members is available on the official website of the consortium here.
To be fair, it is worth noting that the consortium does not include Guidi and Rocado, Comipel, Maryam, and many other well-known companies, so it would not be fair to consider these 19 producers as “mainstream” or “best”.
Getting to know these tanneries of Tuscany will be an essential step in the professional development of beginners, and for connoisseurs of natural leather it will be an opportunity to appreciate the real art in every detail. The choice to choose Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather goes beyond the quality and value of the product; it includes the emotions that accompany its use from day to day.
