Mike Redwood

AI, time horizons and two economies - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood argues for a return to long-term thinking through craft and nature economies—models rooted in regeneration, stewardship and balance between people, planet and progress.

The leather industry belongs in both “nature” & “craft” economies: it is not an artefact of the past but a model for a more sustainable future, where progress is measured not by speed or scale, but by care, stewardship & time well used. internationalleathermaker.com/ai-time-hori...

Skewed by narratives and numbers - International Leather Maker Following the publication of a leather industry manifesto ahead of COP30, Mike Redwood examines how the leather industry is pushing back against misinformation, advocating for evidence-based sustainab...

The Leather Manifesto for the COP30 meeting in Brazil needs to be read in full. The only negative is many national associations & individual tanners have not joined in & continue to maintain silo attitudes internationalleathermaker.com/skewed-by-na...

Central Taiwan leather maker caught emitting excessive levels of air pollutants | Taiwan News | Oct. 21, 2025 14:45 Changhua factory exceeding toluene limits faces penalties | Oct. 21, 2025 14:45

Another misleading headline. Not a tannery. Not making leather at all. Synthetic leather is 100% plastic. www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6224540

Changing the leather landscape - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood discusses how private equity firms and luxury conglomerates are reshaping the global leather industry through consolidation, investment and modernisation, along with the significance of b...

Private Equity have a poor global reputation & now they are increasing their involvement with the leather industry. But so far they have worked well & are helping a fragmented industry consolidate & an introverted, research free, one widen its vision.
internationalleathermaker.com/changing-the...

Closer to nature - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood discusses how leather, rooted in farming and nature, embodies both craft and responsibility, arguing that its true value lies in preserving its natural character, cultural heritage and su...

Leather that retains its natural character has qualities no plastic imitation can match. It breathes, flexes, moulds to the foot, & ages with dignity. The patina that develops speaks of continuity between the living animal & the life of the owner. internationalleathermaker.com/closer-to-na...

Biomaterials and leather in the battle against plastics - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood reflects on the downfall of most plant-based “leather” and argues for genuine leather’s potential to replace plastics through partnership, durability and transparency.

is time for leather to partner with the new materials to engage in a true war against plastics and some great tanneries have started @heller_leder @isatantec @ModernMeadow
Itinternationalleathermaker.com/biomaterials...

Finding your identity - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood reflects on his experience judging the Real Leather. Stay Different. (RLSD) Africa Showcase, a leather design competition highlighting sustainability, creativity and cultural heritage.

internationalleathermaker.com/finding-your...

ACLE to Unite China’s Leather Industry - ACLE Leather Fair 3 September 2025 ACLE to Unite China’s Leather IndustryDespite Economic and Geopolitical Headwinds The 25th edition of ACLE takes place from 3–5 September 2025 at the New International Expo Centre (SN...

Great global background to one of my favourite leather fairs in a wonderful city (and the only one I’ve ever been expelled from). The figures show Europe’s battle against longterm decline and irrelevance
www.aclechina.com/acle-to-unit...

The future comes too fast, and in the wrong order - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood examines how impacts from major global events are happening sooner than many people had predicted and how the global leather industry may be able to capitalize on it.

Leather needs new allies with tech skills, creativity & finance for a battle against pure plastics. Innovera from Litecosm, an ISA TanTec brand, using plant-based proteins, biopolymers & recycled rubber. @modernmeadow-innovera @isatantec
internationalleathermaker.com/the-future-c...

EXPERT REACTION: UN Plastics Treaty reported to be near collapse EXPERT REACTION: UN Plastics Treaty reported to be near collapse On Thursday, the UN’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will hit the deadline to develop an international legally bin

www.scimex.org/newsfeed/exp...

Circulating leather back to its proper place - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood examines how rising U.S. tariffs, plastic pollution concerns and wasted hides could create a pivotal opportunity for the leather industry’s revival.

The toxicity of failing Geneva Plastic meeting, chaos of tariffs as revenue earning plus policy punishment the horrendous waste of hides & skins could offer target for 2035 to recirculate the waste back into leather. Should we build a ten year plan?
internationalleathermaker.com/circulating-...

Do not be a science denier - International Leather Maker In this ILM opinion piece, industry expert Mike Redwood reflects on the fact that leather should demonstrate the core leather qualities of authenticity, integrity, natural beauty and durability and av...

a growing consumer intolerance for plastic pollution must be exploited by leather and that leather must demonstrate the core leather qualities of authenticity, integrity, natural beauty and durability. internationalleathermaker.com/do-not-be-a-...

Getting the Balance Right: Why Methane Matters - One 4 Leather Why leather remains the most sustainable choice for car interiors—when livestock emissions are counted correctly using GWP.

Tks for quoting my article. Without Scottish cattle the machair would die and another blow would be dealt to the curlew. Bad science has many dreadful consequences: one4leather.com/article/gett...

Leather or not? Why the Cologne ruling matters - International Leather Maker In this opinion piece, industry expert Mike Redwood reflects on a German court ruling that protects leather labelling – and what it means for the material’s future.

The Cologne ruling offers a new impetus & congratulations to those involved & must be a catalyst to ensure that leather is known everywhere as an animal-only material & aggressively address the leather industry’s own social & environmental deficiencies. internationalleathermaker.com/leather-or-n...

The dangerous binary of art and craft - International Leather Maker In his latest comment, Mike Redwood explores how the colonial-era divide between art and craft still affects the leather industry – and how tanneries can reclaim their identity through authenticity.

Many tanneries from some of the newest micro tannery to the big industrial side leather units are already using some of the ideas gathered together here. To move forward a bigger narrative has to be built for leather’s wide complexity of audiences. internationalleathermaker.com/the-dangerou...

The business of gloves should still be relevant in advanced societies As a craft worthy of keeping and a business sector needed for defence and health: mike-redwood.com/we-are-at-a-...

Celebrating sporting leathers - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood explores the decline of leather in sports and argues for its renewed relevance amid shifting market trends and sustainability debates.

With global supply chains being comprehensively re-assessed there is a window for leather to expand market share and get more of the unused hides and skins back to market. Serious product innovation +new narratives in marketing needed. internationalleathermaker.com/celebrating-...

Counting Scottish cattle - International Leather Maker In his latest comment, Mike Redwood explores Scotland's stance on livestock emissions and the global debate over how methane should be measured.

Tanners & farmers need to ensure the value of livestock to the planet is fully understood. Sweep out old approaches that overestimate biogenic methane, ignore good soil, biodiversity, changing climate, true circularity & food security.

https:internationalleathermaker.com/counting-scottish-cattle/

Managing unhelpful complexity - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood explains why trade associations are the backbone of the leather industry in a time of constantly evolving regulations and requirements.

With the help of good trade associations, working hard as demonstrated and present at the key moments, tanners should be able to get on with their main purpose: supplying consumers with simple, beautiful, long-lasting leathers they will cherish. internationalleathermaker.com/managing-unh...

A captivating dinner in London - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood celebrates the work of the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, and the generation of young designers making the most of leather.

A great event showing a way forward for leather. No one complained about plastic; it was the artisan that captivated the evening, and their increasing involvement with leather. “It mattered not that the port did not always travel to the left” internationalleathermaker.com/a-captivatin...

‘A-posh-trophe’ joke wins London school pupils a posh trophy Year 5 children’s punctuation pun scoops top prize in the Beano’s Britain’s Funniest Class competition

Gives you hope: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

COP30: Climate change and population adaptation - International Leather Maker ILM columnist Mike Redwood explores the challenges of climate adaptation, urban design and leather’s role in a shifting world ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Forests (+the EUDR problem) will feature at #COP30 in Belem. If Brazil stops Amazon deforestation they can marry livestock & climate positives in degraded areas of the Cerrado. Properly managed livestock work well with longterm grassland & with trees.
internationalleathermaker.com/cop30-climat...

From the @ft_weekend Replacing the thinnest,lightest, strongest sports footwear leather with synthetics that damage both the climate and biodiversity is without any scientific merit whatsoever. Ignoring facts to take decisions on emotions is no way to help our planet. Just bad thinking

Escaping the traps we set for ourselves - International Leather Maker Youth around the world face deepening despair; the leather industry must adapt to offer meaningful, sustainable employment and reclaim its role in a brighter future. Mike Redwood elaborates.

It sounds a lot but it is a small price for society to pay for wellbeing of our youth, improved biodiversity, products that last, and a major diminution in the impossible future of waste based consumerism.
internationalleathermaker.com/escaping-the...

How to create a thriving forest, not box-checking ‘tree cover’ The UK is set to plant 20 million trees to form a new ‘national forest’ in the west of England.

Fascinating article and important read. Larger forests, diverse species, mostly native but not totally, including glades etc.
theconversation.com/how-to-creat...

Going faster, getting poorer - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood reflects on how the pursuit of industrial efficiency in leather making has sometimes come at the expense of quality and longevity.

over a long period of time leather makers have damaged our own product. The solution is in our own hands & points to more human involvement and more craft in all things leather. Enjoy the organoleptic qualities in the making and the selling. internationalleathermaker.com/going-faster...

Luxury after everything - International Leather Maker In this article, Mike Redwood explores how shifting demographics and digital trends are reshaping the luxury market and its implications for the leather industry.

The future of luxury is happening faster than expected. internationalleathermaker.com/luxury-after...

World Leather Day has extra meaning - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood notes the importance of leather’s environmental benefits over synthetics as the industry celebrates another World Leather Day.

2024 Earth Day theme Planet vs. Plastics aimed for reducing plastic prod 60% by 2040. But fossil fuel producers are growing the petrochemical side, inc plastics & synthetics used instead of leather. properly made leather is totally safe to handle & use internationalleathermaker.com/world-leathe...

Leather is not always leather - International Leather Maker Mike Redwood considers how the leather industry should be handling a supply chain where many new materials offer competing looks and performance but are not actually leather.

Leather marketing needs total rethink: collaboration & trust are key ingredients. Before we lose more hides & skins to non-leather uses, tanners must start working with new friends & stop being instantly antagonistic to all adjacent technologies. internationalleathermaker.com/leather-is-n...

The power of consumers - International Leather Maker Consumers are at the heart of the current geopolitical situation, according to Mike Redwood, and can indicate where things will go next.

Who plays a round of golf with only one club and a large revolver?
The world of geo economics and geopolitics has very many moving parts and needs to consider consequences, and anticipate unexpected consequences as well. internationalleathermaker.com/the-power-of...