The Central Leather Research Institute, founded in 1948 for the cause of Leather Science and Technology has emerged as an internationally repute organization. The Institute has its mandate to serve the Indian Leather Sector enabling to reach global eminence. Sixty years of CLRI’s service is marked by the sustained growth of the Indian Leather Sector. The year 2008 marks the Diamond Jubilee year for CLRI. The Institute is organizing a series of events to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.

The month of January is special for the Indian Leather Sector with eventful activities such as LERIG and IILF. The Annual event of Leather Research and Industry Get-Together is organized for the Indian leather industry by the Central Leather Research Institute during 27-30 January, 2008. The involvement of all the stakeholders of the sector in spirit and action makes this event an effective forum for policy, research and the industry to meet, exchange ideas, develop strategic plans for the future to steer the development of the leather industry.
LERIG is cosponsored by various leather trade associations, professional bodies and Government agencies.

The leather industry is passing through an important phase with opportunities to emerge stronger. This is the diamond jubilee year for the CLRI. Hence, the theme for LERIG 2008 is appropriately chosen as “Development Initiatives, Augmentation Measures, Opportunities and New Directions (DIAMOND) for Indian Leather Sector”.

Indian leather industry has set itself an export target of 7 billion US $ for the 11th five-year plan period. There are great challenges in global leather trade environment and these provide gainful opportunities. Capitalizing Nation’s endowments and technology leadership needs new mindset. Appropriate development initiatives and augmentation measures and new directions are needed to set the tone for aggressive-growth mindset, reflecting the current image of India in the global arena. It is imperative for the Indian Leather Industry to gear itself to achieve overall growth in all the sectors.

LERIG 2008 will focus on the theme and endeavor to come out with the preparative strategies to meet the challenges ahead and prepare the launch pad for the country to gain global leadership. A satellite seminar on the Theme of LERIG 2008 will be held in New Delhi on 27th January, 2008.

LERIG 2008 will officially open on 28 January 2008 in Chennai. On 29 and 30 January 2008, the three major areas, viz, Leather, Environment and Products would be discussed.
Major topics proposed for LERIG is

  • Eco friendly leather production processes
  • Zero waste water discharge concepts in processing
  • Cost control, waste minimization, atom efficiency and value addition in processing
  • Role of membrane technology in wastewater treatment
  • Management  of  emerging  environmental issues/problems
  • Value added byproducts from tannery waste
  • New opportunities for life style leather accessories
  • New directions for footwear industry and opportunities in domestic and sports footwear
  • Augmentation measures for strengthening leather and products industry