The use of water for manufacturing creates increased competition between water users and other demands. In many cases it can also lead to pollution and ecosystem degradation. There is a need for solutions to challenges such as water recycling, sanitation and water efficiency. Increasing water efficiency and reduction of water footprint will often also lead to increased energy efficiency.
Resource efficiency in the leather industry
By Kris Schneider
In China, the Low Impact to Environment (LITE) classification system is helping the leather manufacturing industry to imple- ment efficiency measures in the planning and design phase, significantly improving water and energy efficiency whilst reducing the overall environmental impact.
China’s leather industry at a glance The world’s major bovine and performance leather manufacturers have relocated to China and neighbouring low-cost, develop- ing countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and India, making Asia the centre of global leath- er production. China is the world’s largest producer of bovine hides and performance leather and also the world’s leading trader of finished leather. Statistics for 2010 show that the gross industrial output value for China’s leather industry was US$ 115.14 billion,
an increase of 26.9 per cent year-on-year. Imports in the industry were valued at US$ 6.11 billion (34 per cent growth year-on-year), while the value of exports increased by 33.8 per cent to US$ 53.83 billion.
China’s leather industry is composed of vari- ous sectors ranging from leather and fur as natural by-products, to chemicals, machinery, equipment, spare parts, and components and commodities for footwear and apparel.
Since becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation, China has introduced various reforms, with the implementation of policies, market-based instruments, and institutional frameworks to boost industrial growth. Leather industry manufacturing data show that energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 44 per cent between 2001 and 2007, and energy intensity per value
added unit improved by 52 per cent during the same period.
China’s 12th five-year plan: key indus- trial targets China’s 12th five-year plan outlines a need for economic restructuring through imple- mentation of a low-carbon development strategy. Emphasis will be on green and energy efficient industrial growth, with domestic consumption boosted through a facilitated breakthrough in strategic emerging industries. An indicative target for the value-added output of the service sector is 47 per cent of GDP, represent- ing an increase of 4 per cent. To boost innovation, expenditure on research and development will be increased to 2.2 per cent of GDP. China aims to increase the proportion of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to 11.4 per cent and to cut water intensity (water consumed per