Company insight


The virtuous journey to tangible sustainability


Silvateam is recognised globally as a leader in manufacturing tannins and other plant extracts that serve a variety of industries. To explore the topic in greater depth, we interviewed Alessandra Taccon, Ecotan project director.


Could you highlight the evolution of your business over its 170-year history?


Alessandra Taccon: Our journey began in 1854 amidst the chestnut woods of Piedmont, in the valleys of San Michele Mondovì (Cuneo, Italy). It was here that we uncovered the remarkable potential of tannins – polyphenolic plant extracts generously provided by nature. Since then, Silvateam has grown its expertise and expanded its offerings, gaining traction in over 70 markets worldwide. This year, as we celebrate our 170th anniversary, we proudly mark a significant milestone with a turnover of €250 million and a product portfolio which spans multiple sectors, including leather tanning, food, beverages, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.


What impact does your company have on the wider question of environmental sustainability? The sustainability-driven projects at Silvateam are numerous and centred around tannins, which are the core of our innovation strategy. In particular, the Ecotan project, which I am responsible for, is a cutting-edge biocircular tanning technology which is a game-changer in the industry. Our goal is to facilitate the transition towards a safe and healthy leather by reducing the use of fossil chemicals in favour of renewable raw materials, without compromising the quality and performance of the material.


What goals do you aim to achieve? We are committed to adhering to strict environmental standards and international regulations, such as the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by reducing CO2


emissions and diminishing


the consumption of resources such as water and energy. One of our internal objectives is the life cycle assessment (LCA) of our products, which has allowed us to reduce the environmental impact


Leather International / www.leathermag.com


Celebrating 170 years of innovation, Silvateam pioneers sustainable solutions in leather tanning, with a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.


(GWP) of chestnut tannin by more than 60% over time. Furthermore, embracing a zero-waste philosophy, we have recently completed the ‘Second Life’ protocol for Ecotan, a unique offering in the marketplace. This protocol, worked out with CTC Ars Tinctoria, provides a scientifically validated framework for the recycling options of Ecotan leather.


How important is innovation to your company, and what specific actions do you take regarding skills development?


Innovation is at the core of our work: with Ecotan, we have chosen to embark on an ambitious project, creating a leather that is 100% metal-free. All Ecotan leathers are designed and validated for a second life before being launched on the market. We didn’t choose the fastest path, but rather one of tangible sustainability, which involves transforming spent leather and production waste into biofertilisers for organic farming, significantly reducing waste generation. For us, it is essential to drive change based on scientific criteria, numbers and metrics, avoiding any form of greenwashing. Furthermore, projects like Ecotan foster cross-fertilisation


within the organisation, enhancing the team’s ability to lead ground-breaking strategies and our inclination to stand out in the market.


How significant is your engagement with local


communities, and what initiatives do you implement? We work closely with foresters in Piedmont and Liguria to ensure sustainable management of chestnut forests within a 70km radius of our headquarters. By adhering to responsible forestry practices and PEFC standards, we not only ensure the regeneration of forests but also support local communities. The recent inclusion of olive extract, commercialised under the Olivenleder brand name, in our tanning program further demonstrates our commitment to the neighbouring territory. By repurposing pruning waste from olive tree maintenance, which farmers would otherwise need to discard, we convert it into a valuable tanning ingredient that enhances the softness and sensory experience of our leather. ●


www.ecotanleather.com 11


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