Four decades of LERIG – A Recap sum… · Specialty Leathers; Heavy, Industrial and Sports goods Leathers. 1966: Theme – “Heavy Leathers, Chrome Tanning and Village Tanning

Leather Research Industry Get-Together – A Recap

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Four decades of LERIG – A Recap

Leather Week

1964: Theme - “Recent Advances in Mineral Tannages”.

The first Leather Week was

organized in 1964. The theme was

“Recent Advances in Mineral

Tannages”. The organization of the

Leather Week was the brainchild of

Dr. Y. Nayudamma who suggested

that an Indian Leather Fair could be

successfully if sponsored jointly by all sections of the Industry. It

was decided at this Meet that the Leather Week and Conference

would be held annually. It

was inaugurated by Shri R.

Venkataraman, the then

Minister of Industries,

Madras and Shri Manubhai

Shah, Union Minister for

International Trade declared

the Fair open.

Smt. M L Vasanthakumari, a

doyen of carnatic music sang the invocation song.

A Brains Trust meet followed the symposium to identify future

trends in theory and practice of mineral tannages. A Seminar on

Technical Education (Leather) was held immediately after the

Symposium. The second BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by

Prof. A. Kuntzel on the Interaction of Polyphenolic Tannins with

Collagen.


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Several books were

released during the

symposium. These are

“Indian Hides and Skins

– Histological

Characteristics Part I;

APO Lecture Notes on

Leather; Recent

Advances in Mineral

Tannages; Process

Bulletin on Bag Tanning (Tamil); Decennial Report of CLRI.

Notable leather luminaries who attended this symposium were Prof.

A. Kuntzel, Technical University, Darmstadt; Dr. FF Miller, BASF; Dr.

Thomas Thorstensen, Thorstensen Laboratories, USA. The first

Seminar was truly

international with papers

from Hungary, India,

Japan, South Africa, UK,

USA and West Germany.

Mr. Nagappan announced a contribution towards the establishment of a Leather Museum at CLRI.

TGT (TANNERS’ GET-TOGETHER)

1965: Theme – “Future Programs for the Development of Leather

Industry in India”

(1st Tanners’ Get-Together)

It was from 1965 that the Seminars were named as Tanners’ Get-

Together. The Symposium mainly concentrated on planning of the


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leather industry for the next 15 years and the role of the small and

cottage sector. Four books/Process Bulletins were released during

this Symposium. They are: Fuller and Better Utilisation of Hides;

E.I. Tanning and E.I. Dressing of Leathers; Fancy, Split and

Specialty Leathers; Heavy, Industrial and Sports goods Leathers.

1966: Theme – “Heavy Leathers, Chrome Tanning and Village

Tanning Techniques and the role of the Leather Industry in the

Present Emergency”

(2nd Tanners’ Get-Together)

A highlight of the TGT was the

“Round Table Meets” of the

Industry and Research Groups

including the manufacturers of

auxiliaries and machinery in

which financial sponsorship for

research was discussed. As many as a dozen firms came forward to

collaborate and finance in the research projects and to buy CLRI

know-how. The participation of industry in research had thus come

to stay.


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During the discussions

regarding the

Research Programmes

of CLRI the problems

having a bearing on

defence, export

boosting and import

substitution were

assigned high priority.

For the first time in

India, a Leather Fashion Parade was organized and presented by Dr.

Pavana Nayudamma. This was witnessed by more than 5000

spectators.

1967: Theme – “Import/Export Requirements of Materials,

Machinery and Knowhow”

(3rd Tanners’ Get-Together)

Special Lectures were delivered by Dr.

H.Anderson, Industrial Extracts Ltd.

Australia on Sole Leather Tannage in

Australia; Ing. Z. Kotasek, Leather

Research Institute, Czechoslovakia on

Condensation Tanning of Sole

Leather; Mr. Nijkamp, Stahl

Chemicals, Netherlands on Impregnation Studies for Improving

Break of Upper Leathers; Dr. Toth, Leather Research Institute,

Hungary on Development of Leather Industry in Hungary; Mr. R.

Telisek on Present State and Future of Shoe and Leather Industry in

Czechoslovakia.


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1968: Theme – Biological Aspects of Leather Manufacture

Though not referred to as a TGT, a Seminar on Biological Aspects of

Leather

Manufacture was

held during the

days earmarked for

the TGT. Dr. F.

Verzar, Director of

the Institute of

Experimental Gerontology, Basel, Switzerland inaugurated the

Seminar and stated that collagen research oriented for practical

industrial purposes was becoming increasingly important. Several

papers/lectures from international delegates such as G. Toth, A.

Orlita, H. Okamura and A. Kawamuru made this seminar an

international one.

As a token of esteem and gratitude and to associate Dr. A

Lakshmanaswamy Mudaliar’s name with the

Institute permanently the staff of CLRI

instituted the Sir. AL Mudaliar Endowment.

Annual awards under this Endowment were for

Oratorical Competititon for college students on

a popular science subject and General

Knowledge for children of CLRI staff.

Another Endowment instituted by Nagappan

Foundation was for awarding an international prize for the best

essay from any part of the world on any aspect of leather science

chosen by CLRI.

1969: Theme – “Dyeing and Finishing of Leather”


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(4th Tanners’ Get-Together)

A special session dealt with shoe polishes and finishes. A useful

feature to make the Meet purposeful and fruitful was the

introduction of the Practical Demonstration of techniques, processes

and products developed in-house. The firms supplying dyes, finishes

and other auxiliaries were given facilities in the CLRI Tannery to

demonstrate the use of latest materials.

Special Lectures were delivered by Mr.

Nijkamp, Stahl Chemicals, Netherlands on

Lacquers, Lacquer

Emulsions and their uses

in Tannery; Mr. J S Mudd,

Nene Finishes, UK on

Colour Measurements; Mr.

Felice Ambrosini, Italmachine, Italy on

Machinery for tanning and finishing; Mr. K

Schaeffer, Bayers, Germany on Recent trends in the manufacture of

upper leather in Europe; Mr. J H Sharphouse, Northampton College

of Technology, UK on The future of leather as a shoe upper

material; Dr. H Hormann, Max-Plank Institute, W. Germany on

Some recent views on the chemistry of collagen; Dr. G Toth,


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Chemolimpex, Hungary on Problems in limimg, deliming and

pickling of upper leather.

Mr. John Burchill, UN Expert at CLRI delivered BM Das Memorial

lecture on “Some reminiscences of the dyestuff and leather

industries.”

1970: Theme – “Crust Leathers, Other Specialty Leathers and Leather Products for Export” (5th Tanners’ Get-Together)

Pre Shipment inspection and Quality Control as well as problems of

import formed the basis of many of the discussions at this Seminar.

Pre Shipment inspection and Quality Control as well as problems of

import formed the basis of many of the discussions at this Seminar.

Two awards in the name of Late G.Sreenivasa Iyer were instituted.

One was an annual payment every year for five years to CLRI for

research fellowship and an Endowment for a gold medal to be

presented to the student of AC College of Technology for best

performance.

A seminar of the

FAO formed part of

the Symposium.


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Dr. A NORDWIG, Max Planck Institut fur Eiweiss und Leder, Germany, delivering the BM Das Memorial Lecture on Evolution of proteins.

1971: Theme – “Problems with Finished Leathers, Standardization

and Uses, Technical and Commercial Problems Faced and

Research Outlook for the 70’s”


Special Lecture was

delivered by Mr. B.

Keech, SATRA, UK. Mr.

Keech was also awarded

the ALM International

Award for his paper titled

“An Objective Evaluation

of Poromerics as Leather Substitutes or Supplements”. Mr. M. Rafat

spoke about the Leather Industry in Iran.

Mr. Sanjoy Sen delivering the BM Das Memorial Lecture on the Changing Pattern of Indian Leather Exports.


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1972: Theme – “Disposal of Tannery Effluents and Slaughter

house Wastes and Aspects of Public Health in Tanneries and

Slaughter houses”


As the topic of the Seminar was of interest to Indian Standards

Institute (Now Bureau of Indian Standards) as well as to Central

Public Health Research Institute (CPHERI) (Now National

Environmental Engineering Research Institute) both the

organizations cosponsored the seminar. Expert panels were set up

to frame suitable recommendations in the light of the deliberations.

The panels were Methods of Treatment and Disposal of Wastes;

Slaughter House Maintenance, Wastes, Hygiene and Public Health.

Mr. Jaromu Ludvik, National Research Institute for Shoe, Leather

and Allied Industries,

Czechoslovakia delivered a

Special Lecture.

Miss Chitra of Ethiraj College receiving the AL Mudaliar Oratorical Competition prize from Sir Raja Muthiah Chettiar, who presided over TGT and ILF

The BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. D S Jackson,

University of Manchester, UK on “The scientist and his relationship

with technology and industry.”


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Prof. Y Nayudamma accepting a contribution of Rs 51000/- from Nagappa foundation for Footwear Research Centre at CLRI

1973: Theme – “Transfer of Technology in Leather and Allied

Industries”


Technical session on Outlook for research at CLRI 1973-74. Shri VP Pandit, M/s. Western India Tanneries Ltd., Bombay, Chairman of the session addressing. Seated from right to left are Dr N Ramanathan, Shri Sanjoy Sen and Shri SP Singaram.

In the light of deliberations, an Expert Panel on Footwear and

Leather Auxiliaries was set up to frame suitable recommendations.

Special Lectures were delivered by Dr. Samuel Paul, Director, Indian

Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Mr. N. Viswanathan, BASF,

Bombay on Leather Finishes; Dr. E.M. Filachione, US Dept. of

Agriculture, USA on Glutaraldehyde Tannage; Mr. Sanjoy Sen,


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National Tannery, Calcutta and Dr. A. Fuchs, Hoechst, W. Germany

on Tanning of Reptile Skins.

Mr. RD Higham, Technical Editor, Leather was an active participant in the Seminar. He is seen addressing at the At Home function

Shri BD Nag Chaudhuri, Scientific Adviser, Ministry of Defense,

Govt. of India delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Scientific

Temper”

1974: Theme – “Development of Finished Leather, Footwear and

Leathergoods Industries”


An interesting feature was the

organizing of a meeting to discuss

definition of finished leather to

which customs officials and

members from imports and

exports trade were invited. This

was done in view of the difficulties

experienced in arriving at a

definite conclusion of

definition of finished leathers.

This seminar was organized

after the issue of the

Seetharamiah Committee

report on Finished leathers.


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The BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by Mr. RL Sykes,

Director, BLMRA, UK on “Research in the Industry with Special

Reference to Leather, Research, Management and International

Collaboration”.

Immediately after this Seminar, a UNIDO Seminar on Footwear

Manufacturing and Leathergoods Manufacturing intended for the

developing countries in Asia and Far East was held. Delegates to

this Seminar also attended the TGT.

1975: Theme – “Infrastructure for Leather and Leather Based

Industries”


The emphasis during this TGT was on the need for development of

leather machinery and

need for training of

technical personnel at

various levels especially

in view of the need for

finished leather. The BM

Das Memorial Lecture

was delivered by Dr. A.

Seetharamiah, Director General of Technical Development, Govt. of

India on “Progress of Leather Industry in the Country”

1976: Theme – “Training Programmes and Management Sciences

for the Leather & Allied Industries”


The main thrust of the Seminar was on developing human resources

for this sector of the Industry. Deliberations covered among others


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the type of syllabus to be implemented; job oriented training

programs for the footwear industry; setting up of an international

training center at CLRI.

The BM Das Memorial Lecture being delivered by Mr. Hafeezur Rahman, Chairman, LEPC, Madras on “The Burning Problem”.

1977: Theme – “Raw hides and Skins, Leather Goods and Tannery

Effluents”


The effluent problem was gaining prominence and hence one of the

topics was an in depth discussion of the need to contain and control

effluents.

Shri BGS Prasad, Scientist CLRI seen explaining the working of a prototype effluent treatment plant


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Shri S L ATAL Chairman and Managing Director, Bharath Leather

Corporation delivered The BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Problems of

Indian Leather Industry.”

1978: Theme – “Leather Auxiliaries”


The seminar had special significance as it marked the

commencement of the Silver Jubilee Year of CLRI. The idea of

having a centralized pooling

system instead of

constructing individual

effluent treatment plant for

each tannery was mooted at

this seminar.

A section of the gathering at TGT

Dr Franz Friedrich Miller seen along with Prof Santappa.

Dr. Franz Friedrich Miller, Director, BASF Leather Dept., Germany

delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Rationalisation and

environmental problems of beamhouse operations as challenges to

the leather industry”.

A souvenir commemorating the Silver Jubilee was released during

the Seminar.


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1979: Theme – “Economics of Indian Leather and Leather Ware

Industries”


A novel item introduced was the demonstration of the techniques of

grading and classification of semi-tanned and finished leathers by

expert sorters and entrepreneurs drawn from the industry.

Special Lectures were

delivered by Mr. Konrad

Harwitz, Germany and Mr. R.

Bhaskaran, FAO.

The BM Das Memorial Lecture

was delivered by Shri Osman

Ghani, Managing Director,

Savera & Co. Ltd., Calcutta on

“A Dream come true or is it

gradually vanishing”.

1980: Theme – “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”


Many of the recommendations of

the Seminar dealt with planning,

import/export and licensing

policies; a national

slaughterhouse policy; effluent

treatment plants. The

recommendations also indicated

the various ministries which will have to coordinate with CLRI.


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During the TGT and ESCAP Seminar on Technology Transfer on

Leather and Leather Products was also held. It was

attended by delegates from 12 ESCAP countries.

Representatives from FAO and ILO also participated in

the Seminar.

Mr. C K Duraivelan, C Kalyanam & Co., Chennai

delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Indian

Leather Industry – 28 years hence”.

1981: Theme – “Challenges of the 80’s for the Leather and Allied

Industries”


Inauguration of leather week by Shri Sadiq Ali, Governor of Tamil Nadu. To his right are Prof M Santappa and Shri Md. Hashim, Chairman Leather Export Promotion Council and to left Dr HV Hande, Minister for health, Govt. of Tamil Nadu

Keeping in mind the challenges of the 80’s the seminar came up

with relevant recommendations such as the need to strengthen the

raw material resources notably goat farming and fur bearing animal

farms; revamping of the system of carcass collection; import of

essential auxiliaries and sophisticated machinery; training of

technical manpower including preservation and promotion of

traditional skills. The organizations to carry out the actions spelt out

were also identified.


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The BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr. Z. Kotasek Bata

India Ltd. on “Present and future challenges of Indian tanning

Industries”

1982: Theme – “Second Phase of Development of the Leather

Industry in India”


Due to the changed policy in the export of semi finished leathers,

India had made a mark in the production of finished leathers. The

next logical development would be export of leathergoods. Hence

the topic for the TGT was the Second Phase of Development.

Fashion Show at TGT – Theme was Leather on the Rebound

The BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. NS

Ramaswamy, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

on “Management of Animal Energy”


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1983: Theme – “Integrated Development of Indian Leather and

Allied Industries”


Of the recommendations made, the major ones were – Substitutes

for wattle extract due to rising cost and shortages; research on

orthopaedic footwear including lasts and comfort factors; referesher

courses for teachers; augmenting the number of teachers/training

programmes in the area of footwear and leather goods; creation of

text books in leather; all India survey on availability of hides and

skins.

Dr SC Seth, Deputy Secretary, NCST Panel on Futurology, DST, GOI addressing the futurology panel

Prior to the TGT with many of the delegates to TGT participating, a

Workshop on Futurology sponsored by DST titled “Leather Futures”

was held. This was attended by Futurology experts and

representatives from industry and trade and government

departments.

The BM Das Memorial Lecture being delivered by Mr. KVS Murthi, Advisor, Industries & Minerals and Village & Small Scale Industries, Planning Commission, Government of India on “Development Perspective and the Leather Industry”.


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1984: Theme – “National Perspectives for the Development of

Leather and Allied Industries”


The BM Das Memorial Lecture was

delivered by Dr. CV Hubert Wachsman,

Vice-Director, Leather, Ciba-Giegy Ltd.,

Switzerland on “Modern developments in

retanning and dyeing of goat and sheep

skins”.

Special lectures were delivered by Prof. Y

Nayudamma , Distinguished Scientist, CLRI

on “Leather- A look at the future” and Mr.

VJ Cashyap, Manager, Cargo Marketing & Development, Air India,

Bombay on “Air freight economics in international trade – A systems

approach”.

1985: Theme – “Product Promotion, Polymers and Pollution in

Leather and Leather Products”


Dr G Thyagarajan along with Honble Minister C Ponnaiyan at the inauguration of TGT


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Three process bulletins viz., Upper and lining leathers (skins); Hair

on skins; Industrial leathers were released by Shri C Ponnaiyan,

Minister of Law and Industries, Govt. of Tamilnadu.

The BM Das Memorial Lecture was delivered by Dr. G

Lakshminarayana, Deputy Director, Regional Research Laboratory,

Hyderabad on “Perspectives in oils and fats”. Special lecture was

delivered by Dr. D Lach, BASF, Germany on “Properties and

applications of aluminium tanning agents”.

1986: Theme – “Recent Advances in Collagen and Leather

Finishing”

(21st Tanners’ Get-Together)

Prof. LK Ramachandran releasing the BM Das Centenary Special Issue of Leather Science.

Prof. E Heidemann at the Leather Finishing session


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Shri K A Krishnaswamy, Minister of Labour, Govt. of Tamilnadu

released “Nayudamma Reminiscences”

Dr. S Ramachandran, Secretary, National Biotechnology Board,

Govt. of India, delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on

“Biotechnology and its Relevance to leather industry”

1987: Theme – “Raw Materials Resource Potential and Recent

Technological Advances in Mineral Tannages”

(22nd Tanners’ Get-Together)

For the first time a panel discussion among experts was arranged

during the TGT. The Panel Discussion Session addressed itself to the

various issues pertaining to South-South cooperation on raw

material resource management. Experts from UK, Bangladesh,

Argentina, Nigeria, Sudan, China, Indonesia and India formed the

Panel.

Shri C Subramaniam along with Shri A Sahasranaman at the TGT

Karl Stamm (Rohm GmbH, Chemische Fabrik, Germany) delivered

the BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Future aspects of ecologically

sound processing of raw hides in the beamhouse”.


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1988: Theme – “Modernization of Leather Industry”

(23rd Tanners’ Get-Together)

The focus of the TGT centred around three areas – Modern trends in

curing, handling and transportation of raw hides and skins; Modern

concepts in leather process technology; Panel discussion on 21st

century challenges to the leather industry. Lead lectures were by

Mr. William Carey, International Council of Hides, Skins and Leather

Traders Association, UK on Hides and Skins: Problems and

Possibilities; Dr. Heinz Keller, Prime Tanning Co. USA on Wet Blue;

Dr. Catherine A Money, CSIRO, Australia on Alternatives to

Conventional Curing and Handling of Raw Hides and Skins; Dr. R.

Bhaskaran, Retd. Technical Adviser, FAO on Trends and Techniques

for Proper Hides and Skins Deliveries”.

Dr. David A Bailey, UK delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on

“Disposal of Tannery Waste”.


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1989: Theme – “Design, Development and In-plant Control for the

Leather Industry”


Inauguration function

In this TGT discussions on Footwear were given high importance.

Special Lectures were delivered by Dr. Heinz Peter Germann,

Westdeutsche Gerberschule, FRG on “In-plant Process Controls in

Tanneries” and by Mr. M. Aloy, Centre Technique du Cuir, France on

“New technologies available for in-plant process control in

tanneries”

Mr. Z KOTASEK, Bata India Ltd. delivered the BM Das Memorial

Lecture on “Priorities and trends in Indian tanning and leather

product industries”

1990: Theme – “Perspectives, Policies and Plans for the Leather

Industry in the Nineties – A Consensus”


Panelists working on the recommendations emanating from 25th TGT


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At the Silver Jubilee of the TGT structured panel discussions were

organized for more meaningful debates. The panel discussions

covered the following areas – Tannery effluents; Resource

Management and Development; Marketing Management. CAD/CAM

for shoes and modernization contours for leather processing sector

were highlighted in the presentations.

Mr. Helmut Will, BASF, Germany delivered the BM Das Memorial

Lecture on “State-of-the Art on finishing chemicals with regard to

their environmental impact”


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LERIG (Leather Research Industry Get-Together)

1991: Theme – “Impact of Changing Global Economic Scene on

Indian Leather Industry in Rural and Organized Sector”

(26th Leather Research Industry Get-Together)

Starting 1991, the TGT

was rechristened as

Leather Research

Industry Get-

Together. The

possible roles of leather

sector in strengthening

the rural employment the rural employment base was the main

focus of the seminar. The second technical session was dedicated to

Baba Saheb Dr. BR Ambedkar’s memory on his birth centenary

celebrations and dealt with the development of leather industry in

the rural sector and contribution of CLRI in this area.

Dr. HAB PARPIA, Retd. Director, CFTRI, Mysore delivered the BM

Das Memorial Lecture on “Integrated development of meat and

leather Industries”

1992: Theme – “Approaches for Sustainable Growth for the

Indian Leather Industry”


Important issues intricately related to the sustainable growth of

Indian leather sector was discussed in two separate panels. These

were Impact of liberalization of tanning industries and strategies for

quantum jump in export of leather products; Perspectives for future

growth of leather chemicals sector.


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Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University delivering the BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Upgrading the traditional technology – Problems and prospects”.

1993: Theme – “Organisation and Quality – New Imperatives for

the Indian Leather Industry”


As part of the LERIG programme a

National Workshop on Chemicals for

Leather Industry (UNDP) was organized.

Mr. Ferenc Schmel, Industrial

Development Officer, UNIDO, Austria

delivered The BM Das Memorial Lecture

on UNIDO experience in implementing

technical assistance projects in

developing countries”

1994: Theme – “The Emerging Scenario for Indian Leather

Technology, Industry and Trade”


An exercise in Technology Assessment and Forecasting for the

Leather Sector (TAFILS) was conducted by CLRI with TIFAC (DST)

assistance. Special sessions were held for this. The Report of the

Exercise titled “Indian Leather 2010” was released by Shri C.

Subramaniam


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The Seminar was held in honor

of Dr. G. Thyagarajan.. In the

session on TNO-CLRI interaction

programme, emerging

environment technological

options for Indian tanneries with

varying levels of sophistication

were discussed.

A tele-video conference was held

where Indian experts had face to

face interaction with Mr. Nicholas

Brown, USA, Mr. Roger Beeby, UK and Prof. Heidemann, Germany.

They discussed the global implications of the US and other markets

and the strategies to be followed by India to create a market niche

for its products.

Mr. Mario Luiz Leuck, President, IULTCS, Brazil delivered the BM

Das Memorial Lecture on “Applied biotechnology for vegetable and

mineral tanning”

1995: Theme – “Eco sustainable Leather Technologies”



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During this Seminar, information from field tested projects was

disseminated. CLRI-UNIDO & CLRI-TNO programmes came in for

close scrutiny. The field experience on effluent treatment plants

implemented at Pallavaram, Madras, Ranipet, Nandiyalam,

Kannivakkam was presented by the respective implementing

agencies and users. The presentation of user experience from user

tanners and screening of video clippings on the technological

aspects was appreciated by the participants. The German ban on

arylamines and benzidine was discussed as well as the eco-labelling

of products.

Dr. Ron E Whittaker, Director, SATRA, UK delivered the BM Das

Memorial Lecture on “Increasing quality and eco-friendly standards

or footwear”

1996: Theme – “Programmable Actions for Challenges in

Environment for Development (PACED)”

(31st Leather Research Industry Get-Together)

The highest courts in India had taken serious views on the inability

of the leather industry to comply with the environmental standards.

During 1995, an emergency had to be

declared within the leather industry. It

was in this scenario that the PACED was

organized. As a national consensus on

the subject is necessary, the sessions

and programme of the PACED were

organized to facilitate this. The technical

sessions were thus – Situation Analysis;

Consequence Analysis; Experience

Sharing and Case Studies; Panel

Discussions were on Regulations; Technology Opportunities and

Gaps; Creative Financing and Role of Agencies.


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As an innovation a Business session was held on each day and

potential clients were identified.

Workers Manual for Chrome Tanning as well as a Directory of

Leather Products Units were released.

AISHTMA Platinum Jubilee Award for the year 1995 were awarded

to two major programs for technological innovations and core

competence building in vital areas with nation wide impact viz., TNO

– CLRI Cooperation Programme and the National Leather

Development Programme (NLDP).

Shri V BALARAMAN, President, Indian Shoe Federation delivered

The BM Das Memorial Lecture on “Can management inputs really

augment the potential of the leather industry”

1997: Theme – “Cost Effective Options for Management of

Pollution through Leather Environment Technologies

(COMPLETES)”

(32nd Leather Research Industry Get-Together)

The main focus was on the

development of a work plan

methodology for the decision

makers of the Indian leather

sector. International experience in

cost effective pollution control and

management formed the main

theme. Prof. AD Covington, UK,

Prof. Dr. Z. Kotasek, Dr. M. Aloy,

France and Dr. JW von

Groenestijn, Netherlands and


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delegates from Madagascar, Kenya, Australia shared their

experience in the treatment of tannery wastes.

A Tanners forum in place of a Views Forum was introduced.

Whereas the Views Forum gave CLRI a platform to highlight the

achievements of the preceding year, the Tanners Forum seeks out

the directions of tanners to R & D programs of CLRI for the

succeeding year. A variation of LERIG 97 is its return to the TGT

days with an industrial exhibition, however, with a small change.

The change is in focusing sharply the theme of the exhibition to

pollution control devices and in plant control devices in place of

general industrial exhibition. Parallel sessions were introduced for

the first time.

Survey report on the Leather Product Industry was released.

Dr. P KHANNA, Director, NEERI, Nagpur delivered the BM Das

Memorial Lecture on “Environmental Impact Assessment of

Industries based on Socio Economic Criteria”

1998: Theme – “Strategic Management for Indian Leather

Eminence (SMILE)”

(33rd Leather Research Industry Get-Together)

There are challenges from new

alternative and advanced materials

which compete with leather. India will

have to explore new concepts of

material management. The change

management in and for the leather

industry in India needs to be carefully

planned and implemented. Leadership


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position in Leather has to be sought, strategised and strived for

hence the theme SMILE. As the industry develops a strategy there

is a need to take into account all round priorities of the society

inclusive of environment, occupational health and safety and social

responsibility. LERIG 98 provides a forum for this.

Directory of tanneries and leather products industry was released in

the form of CD ROM.

Dr. RA Mashelkar, Director General, CSIR

delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on

Indian Innovation movement – the

challenges of the next millennium

1999: Theme – “Science and Technology Needs of the Leather

Sector into the Next Millennium” (25th IULTCS)


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The CLRI had the unique distinction of hosting the first IULTCS

Seminar in Asia. The Seminar was the Silver Jubilee Seminar of the

IULTCS. Twenty one countries participated in the Congress. Three

satellite symposia were organized in Calcutta, Delhi and Chennai. At

Chennai there was a Satellite Symposium on Collagen.

The MODEUROP Round Table for Spring Summer 2000 was a major

event. It was the first time the Round Table was held in Asia. Bharat

Ratna Shri C Subramaniam released a book on the publications of

Dr. Y Nayudamma.

Mr. Ken Alexander,

Mr. Mike Parsons and

Mr. Adam Hughes,

BLC Leather

Technology Centre,

UK delivered the BM

Das Memorial Lecture

on “Products, Process,

People & Profit”.

2000: Theme – “Modernization, Outlook for Development and

Empowerment of Leather Sector (MODEL)”



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The Government of India launched a Tannery Modernization Fund.

Modernization calls for technology inputs, financial resources and

policy report. With this in view, LERIG 2000 has structured a forum

and a common platform for the shareholders and stakeholders to

meet and develop a consensus plan for modernization. A Trend

Forecast Session was added and the synergestic activities of CLRI

and National Institute of Fashion Technology was demonstrated at

the Forecast session.

Dr. A D COVINGTON, Nene College of Higher Education, UK

delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture.

2001: Theme – “Strategies Towards Augmentation of Market

Position for Indian Leather Sector (STAMP)”


Inauguration of LERIG 2001

With globalisation of economy and trade, nations in the

development phase of industrial economy are facing new challenges

which are likely to threaten leather production and marketing. It is

necessary to readjust to the realities of challenges of global trade

and economy. This was main focus of the LERIG.


34

2002: Theme – “Technologies, Export Marketing Plan for Leather

Sector (TEMPLES)”


Indian leather sector is based

on an evolving technology

culture in which a large

number of small production

systems with productivity and

economy of scope rather than

economy of scale are

operating. Whereas economy of scale provides cost advantages,

economy of scope offers strength in catering to a rapidly changing

fashion market. India needs to carve for herself a country specific

model for meeting the changes and LERIG 2002 caters to this. A

sectoral plan for the 10th 5 year plan has been prepared for the

leather sector and this was discussed at the Seminar. Mr. Wolfram

Froeb, Transmix Process Engineering, Germany delivered the BM

Das Memorial Lecture on Turbo tanning technique. For the first

time, LERIG spread to Kolkata and Kanpur.

2003: Theme – “Global Benchmarks for Leather Sector”


Best practices in global leather trade and

technology systems form the only proven

means to gain competitiveness in the

market place. Global benchmarks for best

practice systems and parameters for

productivity, quality and cost

effectiveness will form the tools to

position an Indian industry in a global


35

market place. Global benchmarking thus formed the theme of this

Seminar.

A Session on Health and Safety in progress

Mr. Karsten Schutt, Deichmann Group, Germany delivered the BM

Das Memorial Lecture on Market Intelligence, a prerequisite to

developing countries.

2004: Theme – “Paradigm Shifts in Leather Production”


A Round Table with Salt Manufacturers Association and Tanners was

held. The Seminar was the venue for a REVISIT to finished leather

norms. Another focus was the Corporate Responsibility of

Environmental Protection: Leather Sector (CREP). Dr. K V

Raghavan, Former Director IICT, Hyderabad delivered the BM Das

Memorial Lecture


36

2005: Theme – “Strengthening, Augmentation, Modernization

and Expansion of the Indian Footwear Industry (SAME)”

(39th Leather Research Industry Get-Together

For the first time the LERIG

was held in two places – at

Noida and at Chennai. The

Noida session was held at

Footwear Design and

Development Institute to cater

to the needs of the footwear

industry of North India.

Mr. Campbell T Page, TFL Leather Technology LTD, Switzerland

delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture on Regulations,

Specifications, Eco-labels, Quality, Restricted substances… What is

realistic for the leather industry?

2006: Theme – “Global Repositioning of Indian Leather Products

(GRIP)”

(40th Leather Research Industry Get-Together

LERIG 2006 focuses on the leather products sector. Emerging

trends open up new opportunities for upholstery and household

furnishing. LERIG 2006 lays the foundation for discussions in the

development of leather products for the consumer economy. LERIG

2006 is planned to discuss various aspects of Indian Leather

Products Sector. Materials, Design engineering and Resource

Networking are the three major areas envisaged and issues

pertaining to the above themes would be discussed and debated

and a “PATHWAY” designed for the Indian Leather products industry

to meet the challenges would be readied.

Dr. Darlie O. Koshy, Executive Director, National Institute of Design,

Ahmedabad delivered the BM Das Memorial Lecture.


37

Credits

It is recorded with appreciation the contributions of Dr. S. Amba,

Head, Library and her team Mrs. B. Annapurani, Mrs. R. Meenakshi,

Mrs. S. Thenmozhi, Mr. N. Aravazhi, Mr. C. Johnson Gnanamuthu

and Shri. K. Krishnamurthy Head Publications and Printing.

Documents

Four decades of LERIG – A Recap sum… · Specialty Leathers; Heavy, Industrial and Sports goods Leathers. 1966: Theme – “Heavy Leathers, Chrome Tanning and Village Tanning