The 16th National Leather Science and Technology Conference and the 27th Annual Meeting of the China Leather Science and Technology Commission of CLIA were successfully held in Jinan, capital of east China’s Shandong Province, from July 25 to 26, 2026. The conference, which was hosted by Faculty of Light Industry of Qilu University of Technology, was jointly organized by China Leather Science and Technology Commission of CLIA, China Leather Chemical Commission of CLIA, and Fine Chemical Committee of the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China. More than 300 delegates attended the conference, including scientists and technologists, entrepreneurs, key technical personnel, and faculties and students from universities and institutes in the leather industry.

The conference，themed ‘Digitalization, Quality, Green Development and Innovation: A Low-Carbon Path to the Future’, featured extensive and in-depth exchanges and discussions on cutting-edge technologies and common challenges of the industry. The conference was the largest of its kind in recent years, fully reflecting the industry’s high attention and active participation in scientific and technological innovation.

At the conference, four opening speeches outlining a blueprint for innovation based on current industry conditions were made. 6 key-note speeches, 32 oral speeches and 92 poster papers, which showing the latest trends in technological development and research achievements, were presented.

The conference was filled with a strong academic atmosphere and yielded fruitful results, providing an effective platform for participants to exchange knowledge and learn from one another. The in-depth discussions were practical and productive. It not only clarifies the development path and points out the direction for scientific and technological innovation in the leather industry, but also continuously accumulates tremendous momentum for the high-quality and sustainable development across the entire industrial chain, injecting strong impetus into the long-term, high-quality development of the leather sector, which is of profound and significant importance.

Addresses by Four Distinguished Guests

Li Yuzhong, Vice Chairman of the China National Light Industry Council and Chairman of CLIA; Peng Xiaojun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the Fine Chemical Committee of the CIES; Wu Yantao, Secretary of Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences) Party Committee; and Duan Limin, director of the China Leather Science and Technology Commission of CLIA and Chief Expert at China Leather and Footwear Research Institute Co., Ltd., delivered opening speeches at the conference.

They extended warm congratulations on the successful opening of the conference and wished the event every success. They expressed the hope that the conference would provide an effective platform for exchanges and in-depth discussions, help maintain a clear focus on the development direction for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and enable the industry to explore new pathways toward high-quality development centered on technological innovation, green development, and intelligent transformation.

Invited Presentations by Six Leading Experts

Shi Bi, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor of Sichuan University; Chen Zhanguang, Vice Chairman of CLIA; Ma Jianzhong, Leading Scholar of Xi’an Jiaotong University, former President of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology; Tang Keyong, Professor of Zhengzhou University; Fan Haojun, Professor of Sichuan University; and Ding Zhiwen, Deputy General Manager of China Leather and Footwear Research Institute Co., Ltd., delivered the following key-note presentations:

Scientific and Technological Trends for the Green and High-Quality Development of the Tanning Industry

Analysis and Outlook of the Economic Performance of the Leather Industry

Advanced Functional Leather Materials

Research on Structural Evolution Mechanisms in the Deterioration of Leather Cultural Relics and Their Restoration and Conservation

Functionalization of Hide and Leather Coatings

High-Value Non-Tanning Utilization of Raw Hides and Skins—Textile Collagen Fibers”

Conference Presentations by 32 Experts

The conference also included four sessions. A total of 32 industry scholars and researchers from universities including Sichuan University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, and Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, as well as companies such as Bader Leather Co., Ltd. and Qihe Lihou Chemical Co., Ltd., etc., shared their latest research findings. Participants also engaged in on-site discussions with the speakers.

The presentations focused on cutting-edge and key topics, including the fundamental science and technology, green tanning technologies and intelligent manufacturing, research on leather chemicals, collagen-based functional materials, analytical and testing technologies and industry standards, pollution control and the resource reutilization of solid waste, and the innovative design of leather products.

The presentations encompassed both fundamental theoretical research and industrial applications, covering the entire process from laboratory research and development to commercialization and industrial application. They provided an academic platform for the exchange of ideas and technologies within the leather industry and across disciplines and fields. They also helped break down barriers between fundamental research and industrial application, promote integration and coordination among different research areas, and inspired researchers to broaden their perspectives and push beyond existing research boundaries. The presentations offered diverse ideas and practical pathways for technological innovation and sustainable development in the industry.

Participants interact with conference speakers

Conference Concludes Successfully; Next Conference to Be Held in Xi’an in 2028

After two days of intensive and wide-ranging sessions, the conference concluded successfully with a closing ceremony on July 26.

Chen Zhanguang delivered the conference summary at the closing ceremony. He said the conference had been highly successful and productive. Focusing on the theme of the conference, the experts addressed the industry’s challenges and bottlenecks and proposed numerous notable solutions and ideas, ranging from bio-based materials to functional materials, from energy conservation and carbon reduction to AI-enabled wearable products and technologies, and from meeting human-factors and ergonomics requirements to expanding application scenarios. Regarding exchanges and cooperation, the conference had provided an effective platform for extensive communication and deeper integration across the upstream and downstream industrial chain, as well as among industry, academia, and research institutions. This would play an important role in shaping the industry’s innovation landscape.

He expressed particular gratitude to the eight companies for their generous support for the conference. He also extended special thanks to Qilu University of Technology, the host institution, for its excellent work in ensuring the successful organization of the event.

At the closing ceremony, Chen announced that the 17th National Leather Science and Technology Conference would be held in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in 2028 and hosted by Shaanxi University of Science & Technology. Lü Bin, Vice President of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, spoke on behalf of the host for the next conference. He warmly invited industry leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students to participate in multi-dimensional and cross-disciplinary exchanges on cutting-edge developments in leather science and technology and technological challenges facing the industry.

At the closing ceremony, Chen also gave a special introduction to the 39th Congress of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS), which will be held in León, Mexico, from October 25 to 28, 2027.CLIA will again organize a Chinese delegation to attend the congress.

He also introduced the IULTCS Young Leather Scientist Grants (YLSG), which was established by IULTCS to support the development of young researchers worldwide, the application of this year’s YLSG will be started from September. Chen encouraged more young researchers and technical professionals to apply for the grants and become more actively involved in international leather science and technology research.

审核：雒霞