ENVIRONMENTAL

AWARENESS IN THE SHOE-

MAKING INDUSTRY

THE SHOE-MAKING INDUSTRYIN ELDA

Elda important shoemaking industry, -especially footwear for women

* “Zapato”

(Spanish word for shoe)

comes from

the Turkish word "zabata"

INESCOPINESCOP was formed to promote shoemaking technological development.

It opened in 1971, and nowadays has more than 600 member enterprises.

INESCOP offers the best scientific and technical services.

Inescop pioneered the foundation of the European Union Entities of Footwear Research (EURIS)

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ITS

IMPORTANCE FOR INESCOP

INESCOP contributes to environmental development research.

. The current envoronmental requirements are many: - Control of toxic substances - -REACH regulations,- -Waste disposal - -control of emisssions of gases to the atmosphere…

INESCOP provides its members necessary technical and human means.

POLLUTING EFFECTS IN THE SHOEMAKING

INDUSTRY

INESCOP admits the need to develop new ideas which enrich the value of footwear. That is why they use biotechnology in some of the following aspects:

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS: Study of the biodegradation of shoe components. Evaluation of the antimicrobian properties in shoe

components. Getting proteins with sticking properties for footwear.

Developed projects Review of the biodegradability of leather. Preparation of tissue-engineered artificial leather.

EUROPEAN UNION REQUIREMENTS ON THE TOXICITY OF FOOTWEAR

COMPONENTS The EU have regulated

certain harmful substances to guarantee health and the environment.

There are substances which can cause allergies to workers in the manufacturing process and to customers.

They have already detected 84 harmful substances.

Some of these subtances:

-.DMF (dimethyl fumarate): sachets inside the boxes to preserve footwear)

-. Formaldehyde (carcinogenic actions)

-. Chlorophenols

-. Lead

-. Chromium VI