The Brazilian Association of Component Companies for Leather, Footwear, and Artifacts (Assintecal), through its Brazilian Materials internationalisation programme in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), is taking five companies to the fair: Cipatex, Corium, Ecovita, Seta and Tanac.
Brazilian Leather, the leather export promotion project run by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) with ApexBrasil, is supporting 12 individual Brazilian booths, including América Leather, Coming, Couros Bom Retiro, Durli Leathers, Euro-América, Fuga Couros, Gobba Leather, Hason International, JBS Couros, Liderkoll and Minerva Leather, alongside CICB/Brazilian Leather.
The Brazilian presence reflects the importance of Asia to the global footwear and leather industries. Asia accounts for 84% of global footwear exports, while China produces 55.6% of the world’s shoes and is by far the largest footwear producer.
Aline Santos, Marketing Manager at Assintecal, said participation at ACLE provides Brazilian companies with access not only to Chinese manufacturers but also buyers from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. She added that the opportunity is particularly important as Brazilian exports lose strength in traditional markets such as the U.S and Argentina.
Brazilian Leather Manager Letícia Luft said ACLE is also becoming increasingly relevant to the automotive sector. China produces 30% of the world’s cars and is the largest importer of automotive leather, with the automotive sector’s participation at the exhibition growing each year.
The furniture industry is another important visitor segment, with Brazilian Leather citing its relationships with local manufacturing associations as helping to increase interest in Brazilian tanneries.
ACLE 2026 is expected to attract around 1,000 exhibitors from 25 countries and approximately 31,000 visitors. Brazilian Leather will also host an exclusive booth featuring its Leather Preview exhibition, showcasing hides and leather from several Brazilian tanneries and promoting Brazilian production in areas including sustainability, innovation and creative leather design.
