Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), considering that international relations and cooperation offer excellent opportunities to promote collaborations and share best practices between institutions, attended the “Materials Design and Innovation Exhibition-INSPIRAMAIS 2021_I” held at the Pro Magno Events Center (Rua Samarita, 230- Casa Verde_ Sao Paulo), Brazil on January 14 and 15, 2020.
ALLPI was represented by its Executive Director Prof. (Dr.5) Mwinyikione Mwinyihija during the Event.
The objectives of the Mission were to establish cooperative activities with the Brazilian leather sector institutions and enterprises, gain experience from the Brazil leather industry that is contributing in the development arena of the global leather industry in general and that of Brazil in particular, benchmarking ALLPI’s activities and appreciating Brazilian products with regard to latest material, innovative designs, and technology.
The Materials Design and Innovation Exhibition-INSPIRAMAIS 2021_I” was organized by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB); Brazilian Association of Leather, Footwear, and Artefact Components Companies (Assintecal); Abit; Tex Brasil; By Brasil Components and Chemicals; and the Brazilian Leather project, a partnership between the CICB and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) to encourage leather exports.
One of the featured exhibited at Inspiramais was the Leather Preview, which presented anticipation of trends made from leathers worked by the participating tanneries that were present at the event. Leather furniture, done in partnership with the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel), was also availed to Inspiramais visitors.
One of the featured exhibited at Inspiramais was the Leather Preview, which presented anticipation of trends made from leathers worked by the participating tanneries that were present at the event. Leather furniture, done in partnership with the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association (Abimóvel), was also availed to Inspiramais visitors.
Over 180 exhibitors from all over Brazil in the areas of shoe soles, accessories, fabrics, laminates, and leathers, among others, for the fashion and furniture industries, participated in the exhibition. There were eighteen companies from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, and Peru that took part in the exhibition and got the opportunity to access the fashion materials produced in Brazil. Leather had a privileged space at the event where 16 tanneries were showing off their developments in fashion, quality, and sustainability. The Exhibition program comprised talks addressing issues related to innovation, technology, sustainability, digital marketing, and research focused on the market and the entire fashion chain. Speakers included names recognized in the field, with knowledge and lots of experience. The latest references and new developments in design and technology were portrayed in shapes and colors through special projects on display. The Brazilian Leather project also promoted the Brazilian Leather Certification of Sustainability (CSCB), during the event, a milestone in the world leather sector that has promoted major changes in the Brazilian industry.
Prof. Mwinyihija said that the exhibition was beautiful, better than last year. They are initiating the SMEs thinking to become innovative. The SMEs have gone to proper leather finishing. Brazil also coming up very fast in accessories which is the major problem in leather products manufacturing. Brazil is now even outsmarting European countries. In 2021 ALLPI will make its Regional Design Studio Project Coordinator to participate and gain this valuable experience.
Prof. Mwinyihija, during the Event, met various partners that might support the 5th World Leather Congress (WLC) and the 36th IULTCS Congress that will be held in November 2021 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.