Another February has come and gone, bringing with it the excitement of the Lineapelle Milan exhibition. If you’re familiar with the leather industry, you already know that Lineapelle Milan is a global meeting where tradespeople, materials producers, and suppliers come together to showcase the ways this traditional market can be innovative. You go to this fair if you want to know how the leather industry is approaching sustainability; how new materials are being received in the market; and what excites the many denizens of an ancient art form.
Naturally, Modern Meadow had an active presence at this year’s fair, both listening and contributing to the industry buzz. Whether it was in conversation with booth visitors, engaging with thought leaders, or simply viewing the types of materials on exhibit, it was clear that sustainability and new materials are on everyone’s minds. Below are a few takeaways:
The leather industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with a growing focus on the integration of more sustainable and innovative materials for the upcoming seasons. This is not necessarily at the expense of leather, but rather in addition to. Many in the industry are beginning to see that leather craftsmanship can be applied to a wide range of canvas types. Embracing new materials helps open new markets and possibilities for both leather and leather-like materials. And, it can be done in a sustainable way.
For this reason (among others), producers are increasingly investing in bio-based and animal-free[MOU1] materials that both minimize the use of harmful chemicals and curtail excessive water or energy consumption. The design and implementation of these materials is aided by the use of advanced technologies—such as AI and nanotechnologies—which help to improve both large-scale quality control and the overall performance of new materials. By adopting new materials and advanced technologies, we’re seeing a blending of heritage and traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation in a way that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
Feedback from the tanneries who have used new materials like Modern Meadow’s BIO-VERA® have been exceptionally positive and speak to a strong market demand for materials that seamlessly merge tradition with modern technology. From their perspective, integrating state-of-the-art materials and processes not only enhances product offerings, but also significantly improves the durability and overall quality of their market stream. This presents a prime opportunity for material producers like Modern Meadow to facilitate innovation in tanneries, which is fast becoming an indispensable value in today’s global market.
The materials produced by Modern Meadow have captured the attention of international industry professionals, generating substantial interest and traction that was evident on the exhibition floor. Our unique ability to merge cutting-edge technology with sustainable material production practices has resonated strongly in the market, proving that there is a readiness to invest when materials are both high-quality and compatible with the existing leather ecosystem. The robust response we’ve seen reaffirms Modern Meadow’s leadership in bio-innovative materials and highlights our potential to shape future trends in design and manufacturing.
The prevailing view has long held that sustainability and new materials are at odds with the traditional leather industry. But events like Lineapelle Milan show this view is simply not true. The leather industry has always valued heritage and craftsmanship, but so too have they valued creativity and responsibility. That’s why we’re increasingly seeing tanneries adopting new materials like BIO-VERA®. Far from obviating leather, these materials help tanners carry the timeless qualities of leather and leather making over to new markets. And through new materials, the industry can help develop a new, more sustainable future.
Put simply, it’s an exciting time to be in this space, and we’re looking forward to the next Lineapelle in September 2025!
Textile Insight