During his presentation, Burak Uygunar will discuss the structural problems facing the global tanning industry, how it should reset itself around a natural and circular story and outlines how tanners should untap the value in their byproducts from the leathermaking process.
His presentation is titled, ‘R3: Reset, Rethink and REACT’, which will conclude with his thoughts of what the industry should do next in the context of a biomaterial.
Burak Uyguner is President of the Turkish Leather Industrialists Association (TDSD). This marks his third consecutive term leading the industry body. He also currently serves as President of the International Council of Tanners (ICT) and as Vice President of the Istanbul Leather and Leather Products Exporters’ Association (IDMIB). He is the owner of Uyguner Deri Group, a family-run company with operations spanning bovine leather manufacturing, gelatine production and fertiliser development.
How to register to attend this key event
International Leather Maker (ILM) and APLF Ltd are hosting the half-day conference on March 11, 2026 (the day before the start of the APLF). It includes six oral presentations as well as a panel discussion, focussing on the future trends and direction of the global leather supply chain. The conference will once again take place at the HKCEC (Room N101B), which is the same venue as the show. The APLF show takes place March 12-14, 2026.
Click here to register. Tickets to attend are US$140 per person and discounts are available for three or more bookings from the same organisation.
The ‘Leather Supply Chain 2026 – The Great Leather Reset’ conference is co-organised by ILM and APLF Ltd. The lead sponsors are Mindhive Global and Bureau Veritas. The coffee break is sponsored by National Beef Leathers.
