The Italian tanning industry employs over 17,000 people across 877 companies, with an annual turnover of more than €4 billion, 67% of which is generated through exports to around 117 countries. It has historically been regarded as a global leader in terms of value and level of internationalisation, thanks to its advanced technological and quality standards, strong environmental commitment and innovative capacity in stylistic design.
The industry recycles and adds value to a by-product of the meat processing industry: raw hides and skins generated as a result of slaughtering.
The main animal type processed is adult bovine, accounting for 82% of total production, followed by calves (7%), sheep (7%) and goats (3%). Less than 1% of tanned hides and skins come from other animal species, such as reptiles, pigs, etc.
The most important customers of Italian tanneries are footwear manufacturers, which purchase 33% of the leather produced nationally. This is followed by leather goods (30%), automotive interiors (16%), the furniture industry (15%) and clothing (3%). Finally, a residual 2% is destined for highly marginal uses, such as bookbinding.
Tanning is one of Italy’s most internationalised industrial sectors, as shown by foreign trade data. Exports of tanned leather, destined for 117 countries, account for around 70% of total turnover — more than double the percentage recorded 20 years ago. The European Union is the key geographical macro-area, accounting for 61% of total exports, while France is the main foreign destination country for Italian leather, representing 13% of the total, followed by Spain, China (including Hong Kong), Vietnam and Romania.
Imports of raw materials play an essential role for the sector, as foreign sourcing, originating from 103 countries, covers over 90% of the Italian tanning industry’s requirements. Looking in detail at the type of raw material purchased, 45% of imports by volume consist of raw hides and skins, while 54% refers to semi-processed hides and skins up to the “wet blue” stage; the other semi-finished material used, “crust”, accounts for 1% of the total.
Despite fierce competition from emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil, the Italian tanning industry still holds an undisputed position of international leadership. The value of its production accounts for 27% of the global total, rising to 65% when considering the European Union alone. From a trade perspective, 31% of international leather exports originate in Italy.
Italian tanning is a typical example of the success of the district-based model that has traditionally characterised a significant part of the country’s manufacturing economy. Almost all production — around 93% — is concentrated in three territorial production districts: Veneto, Tuscany and Campania, with smaller shares in Lombardy and a few other regions. Over the years, these districts have developed, and often adapted in response to market requirements, their own distinctive characteristics in terms of both product and process.
Download the Presentation of the Italian Tanning Industry Results – Year 2025.
THE VENETO DISTRICT
The Chiampo Valley, in the province of Vicenza, is home to one of the largest tanning districts in the world, as well as the most important in Italy in terms of production and number of employees. It includes Arzignano and the Chiampo area, from Crespadoro to Montebello, from Montorso to Zermeghedo and as far as Montecchio Maggiore.
From an industrial perspective, the distinctive feature of this district, whose production accounts for 50% of the national total, is the presence of both small and medium-sized companies and large industrial groups.
In terms of production, its main specialisation is medium-to-large bovine hides, destined for customers in the furniture and automotive interiors sectors, as well as footwear and leather goods.
THE TUSCAN DISTRICT
The district with the largest number of companies is located in Tuscany and includes the municipalities of Santa Croce sull’Arno, Bientina, Castelfranco di Sotto, Montopoli Val d’Arno, San Miniato and Santa Maria a Monte in the province of Pisa, and Fucecchio in the province of Florence.
Local tanneries, whose turnover accounts for 35% of the national total, are characterised by a high degree of craftsmanship and production flexibility, primarily serving luxury brands.
Processing mainly concerns medium and small bovine hides, including calves, and sole leather, which in Italy is produced almost entirely in San Miniato and Ponte a Egola.
THE CAMPANIA DISTRICT
Campania is home to a tanning hub specialised in the tanning of small sheep and goat skins destined for the clothing, footwear and leather goods industries.
Companies are mainly located in the province of Avellino, in the area of Solofra, Montoro Inferiore, Montoro Superiore and Serino Avellino, with several important presences also around Naples, including Arzano, Casandrino and Casoria.
Initially limited to uppers, the Solofra tanning hub expanded and diversified into clothing, before returning in recent years to footwear and leather goods.
The value of leather production in Campania currently accounts for 8% of the national total.
