The Peretti Tanning Group is considered an undisputed benchmark in the tanning sector, thanks to its wide range of skills and ability to offer high quality products that meet the needs of the market. The company is an Italian excellence specialising in the production of leather for footwear, leather goods and furniture, and is distinguished by its strong family tradition, reliability, innovation and environmental awareness. Through its three divisions – Cristina, Nuova Gasby and Miura – the Peretti Group covers all steps and needs of the tanning process, from the careful selection of raw materials to highly specialized production. Its history began in the 1950s, when Graziano Peretti founded a small tannery with few means but many ideas. In the 1980s, the second generation of the family, in the person of Giuseppe Valter Peretti, joined the company and in the 2000s the third, with Eleonora and Stefano, ensuring to the group stability and future continuity. Research and development are the strength of the Group, which constantly invests in new technologies and production processes. This constant commitment has enabled it to achieve high standards of quality and reliability, and to become a market leader. Not only that: the entire Group is committed to environmental protection and has adopted a sustainable production model. The company uses renewable energy, choosing to make use of a responsible and conscious supply chain. This focus on sustainability is a fundamental value for this reality, which is committed to producing high quality leather while respecting the environment.
With its three divisions, the Peretti Group positions itself as a reliable and competent partner, capable of forecasting trends and offering complete solutions to its clients. Thanks to its dedication to innovation, craftsmanship and strategic vision, the Peretti Group continues to distinguish itself as a driving force in the tanning industry and a point of reference for innovation, thanks also to the partnership established with Osmo of Arzignano. This collaboration is an important step towards the development of a more innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly leather industry. The two companies are convinced that by working together, they can create a better future for the entire industry and the planet. We talk about this with Stefano Peretti, Senior Vice President of the Group.
The Peretti Group is known as one of the largest industrial groups in Italy. Do you also work with the fashion world, in particular with the high- end?
“Our divisions Miura and Nuova Gasbi focus mainly on high-end leather production, while Conceria Cristina targets the accessible fashion market. Miura and Nuova Gasby process calf leather, while Conceria Cristina processes cowhide. All three divisions are specialized in their own areas of expertise: in this way we follow the entire production process, from the procurement of raw materials to the production of semi-finished products up to the finishing of end products, thus offering a complete range. This allows us to guarantee the highest quality and traceability of the process because it is completely carried out in-house, and to respond flexibly to our clients’ needs.”
In addition to fashion, there is furniture industry…
“Yes, in addition to fashion, we also deal with furniture. In particular, we have developed a joint venture in the US with a local partner in North Carolina. This warehouse serves the entire furniture and contract world for the American market. The joint venture is called Tiger Leather and was set up with a former client of ours. In Italy, it is the Tannery Cristina division that produces leather for furniture. However, our sales in Europe are quite marginal. We are mainly focused on the US and Asia.”
Is Italy still an important market for leather goods, particularly for clothing and accessories?
“Italy is a key market. It is where the main luxury brands are concentrated, producing their high-end products mainly here. Most of these brands also have their design or product development offices in Florence or neighbouring areas.”
The locations of the Peretti Group are strategically positioned to serve major national and international markets. What are they and what is their importance for your Group?
“The Montebello Vicentino site is the historical headquarters and parent company of the Group. This is where the administrative, research and development and marketing offices are located. It also houses the Cristina factory, which is responsible for the production of medium-high-end leather. The Nuova Gasby plant is located in Arzignano, specialized in the production of calfskin for women’s footwear, while the Miura factory is located in Santa Croce and is specialized in the production of fine leather for the luxury sector. We have another branch in Soave, still under the umbrella of Conceria Cristina, which works mainly for the furniture and contract sectors, while the branch in Montebello that you know finishes bovine leather for footwear and leather goods.”
You are considered a model of sustainability for the tanning industry. What are the main investments you have made in this area?
“The Peretti Group is committed to environmental sustainability and has invested in several projects to reduce the consumption of energy and other resources. Solar panels have been installed in all production plants, with a total capacity of over 1,080 kilowatts. In particular, the Cristina headquarters has 800 kilowatts of panels, while the Soave and Miura sites have 250 and 280 kilowatts respectively. In addition, a cogenerator has been installed on the site of Cristina, which produces electricity and hot water using natural gas. This system has enabled us to become self-sufficient in electricity, with the exception of peak demand. As far as water is concerned, we have built, in collaboration with Osmo Srl, a pilot plant in Soave that allows us to recuperate 95% of the water used in the finishing process. The recovered water is evaporated and purified, and then fed back into the production cycle. The waste material resulting from the evaporation process is concentrated and has been certified by the University of Padua so that it can be sold to the blast furnaces of cement factories, which use it as fuel. The pilot plant in Soave has been in operation for about a year, and we intend to extend its use to other production sites as well.”
Your approach is innovative and represents a breakthrough…
“The waste material resulting from the evaporation process is concentrated and transformed into a reusable material. This is a success, but we are not stopping there and continue to implement new plants. As far as photovoltaics are concerned, we are considering expanding the Montebello plant and also installing it elsewhere, so as to make even smaller sites, such as areas where marginal work is carried out that requires little energy, self-sufficient. This solution would allow us to further reduce our environmental impact and improve our energy efficiency.”
How did the collaboration with Osmo originate?
“In cooperation with Osmo, we started a project to develop a new tanning process, based on the Cosmo White system. This process will enable us to produce chrome and metal free leathers with a reduced environmental impact. The Cosmo White process has several advantages over other chrome alternatives: it uses less water; it generates waste water with a lower pollutant content; and it does not use bisphenol, a substance that is potentially harmful to health and the environment. Chrome tanning, if done correctly, can still be defined as sustainable tanning. However, the Cosmo White process has further advantages, such as lower environmental impact and is an interesting solution for the production of upholstery leather. Our Group is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products and processes, and this new process is an important step in this direction. In addition, this tanning is still the least impactful and has important characteristics from the point of view of the durability of the products generated. Sustainability also means providing clients with products that last much longer than others.”
What is the biggest challenge for you today as a company and as a Group?
“The biggest challenge we face is to make the world understand that leather is a sustainable material par excellence and the tannery is a circular industry as it allows the recovery of waste from the food industry that would otherwise be disposed of. To make production even more sustainable, we are working to reduce CO2 emissions, the use of energy resources and the use of water. In addition, we are investing in research into new technologies for the production of bio-based finishes, i.e. made from waste from other industrial processes, without the use of petroleum derivatives. This is another area where we are focusing our energy. We are convinced that it is possible to produce leather in a sustainable way, reducing the environmental impact and preserving the environment.
Stefano Peretti, Senior Vice President del Gruppo