‘Zerolution’ in Indian leather sector as 12th plan sets $14bn export target

Chennai:

A major ‘zerolution’ is taking place in six common effluent treatment plants covering all important leather centers with the adoption of Zero Liquid Discharge by Tamil Nadu leather sector, according to chairman of research council Central Leather Research Institute Dr K V Raghavan.

Speaking after the inauguration of 46^th Leather Research Industry Get-Together (LERIG) by Governor K Rosaiah here on Saturday, Raghavan said the major initiative by Centre, state and leather sector a highly sophisticated reverse osmosis technology is employed for water recycle which will reduce more than 80 per cent of water consumption in producing per kg of leather.

“More than Rs 200 crore investment is being made to recover 30-40 million litres of high quality of water per day and this is the first of its kind in India and even in the world,” said Raghavan.

He said new research initiatives during the 12^th plan include zero solid discharge, establishing of bioscience and biotech research blocks besides a new world class environmental quality assessment facility with union and state government’s support.

He said Tamil Nadu’s development in leather sector has inspired Andhra Pradesh which is setting up a integrated leather and leather product complex in Krishnapatnam.

Governor K Rosaiah said Indian leather industry has scaled new heights with exports target set $14 billion by the end of the 12^th plan periodand hand holding them in this journey is Council for leather exports which has charted the growth path of Indian leather industry.

M Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman of Council for Leather Exports, stressed the need to concentrate more on ladies and children footwear segement which constitute 70 per cent of global market