Hosted by LASRA

LASRA Conference 2026

Leather Science • Processing • Sustainability

📅 [Day Month] – [Day Month] 2026

📍 [Venue Name], [City], [Country]

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Technical Conference for the Leather Industry

The LASRA Conference 2026 brings together leather manufacturers, chemists, researchers, sustainability specialists, and supply chain professionals from across the globe for two days of knowledge exchange, technical presentations, and collaborative dialogue.

Hosted by LASRA, the Leather and Shoe Research Association, this biennial event is a cornerstone of the international leather industry calendar, providing a rigorous, peer-reviewed forum for advances in tanning chemistry, sustainable processing, material science, and regulatory compliance.

Whether you are presenting research, sourcing innovation, or forging new commercial relationships, LASRA 2026 offers the connections and insight to move your work forward.

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Guest Speakers

Keynote & Invited Speakers

Confirmed keynote speakers include Ian Proudfoot, Wouter Hendriksen (Smit & Zoon), with additional invited speakers from FILK and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries currently being finalised.

Ian Proudfoot
Leading New Zealand agribusiness strategist
Providing an overview of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's red meat sector.
📌 Speaker details to be confirmed
Wouter Hendriksen
Wet-end Innovation Manager, Smit & Zoon, Netherlands
International perspective on sustainable leather chemistry and innovation.
📌 Speaker details to be confirmed
FILK Representative (TBC)
Leather Research Institute, Germany
Latest developments in leather research and technology. Speaker to be confirmed.
📌 Speaker details to be confirmed
MPI Representative (TBC)
Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand
Emerging regulatory and market developments affecting New Zealand's primary industries. Speaker to be confirmed.
📌 Speaker details to be confirmed

Additional speakers will be announced as the programme is confirmed. Contact us to enquire about speaking opportunities.

Conference Topics

Technical & Research Themes

The scientific programme covers the full breadth of leather science and technology, from raw material quality to finished product performance. Submissions addressing any of the following themes are welcome.

01

Industry Perspectives

Chrome-free alternatives, vegetable tannins, enzymatic processing, and closed-loop water systems.

02

Chemical & Finishing Chemistry

Novel retanning agents, dyestuffs, fat-liquors, surface coatings, and functional finish technologies.

03

Effluent Treatment & Environmental Compliance

Wastewater management, solid waste valorisation, and regulatory frameworks across key markets.

04

Raw Material Quality & Hide Science

Hide and skin grading, defect reduction, slaughter practices, and supply chain traceability.

05

Leather Testing & Standards

Physical, chemical, and performance testing; ISO/IUP/IULTCS standards updates and harmonisation.

06

Circular Economy & Life Cycle Assessment

LCA methodologies, end-of-life processing, bio-based inputs, and industry carbon footprint reduction.

07

Digital Innovation & Industry 4.0

Automation, AI-assisted quality control, digital traceability, and smart manufacturing in tanneries.

08

Market Trends & Trade Policy

Global leather market analysis, tariff developments, sourcing shifts, and brand-sector outlook.

Programme Highlights

Conference Programme

A draft programme will be published as additional speakers and presentations are confirmed. A downloadable PDF will be available closer to the conference.

Day 1, [Date TBC]
08:30Registration & Welcome Coffee
09:15Opening Address, Conference Chair
09:30Keynote Presentation 1
10:30Morning Tea & Exhibition
11:00Technical Paper Session A
13:00Lunch & Networking
14:00Technical Paper Session B
16:00Afternoon Tea & Exhibition
16:30Invited Industry Panel
18:30Welcome Reception
Day 2, [Date TBC]
09:00Keynote Presentation 2
10:00Morning Tea & Exhibition
10:30Technical Paper Session C
12:30Lunch & Poster Session
13:30Technical Paper Session D
15:30Afternoon Tea
16:00Closing Plenary & Awards
17:00Conference Close
19:30Conference Dinner (Ticketed)

Full Programme, Coming Soon
The detailed programme including paper abstracts, speaker biographies, and session timetables will be available for download here from [Month Year].

Venue & Accommodation

Conference Venue

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📍
Venue [Full Venue Name]
[Street Address]
[City, Country]
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Getting There [Nearest airport / rail station and approximate travel time to venue. Shuttle or transfer arrangements to be confirmed.]
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Parking [On-site parking availability and any associated charges to be confirmed.]
Accessibility The venue is fully accessible. Please indicate any specific requirements at the time of registration.

Recommended Accommodation

[Hotel Name A] ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [Distance to venue]
Special delegate rate: [Rate TBC]
Booking code: [CODE TBC]
[Hotel Name B] ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [Distance to venue]
Special delegate rate: [Rate TBC]
Booking code: [CODE TBC]
[Hotel Name C] ⭐⭐⭐ | [Distance to venue]
Budget option, no delegate rate
Book directly via hotel website
[Hotel Name D] ⭐⭐⭐ | [Distance to venue]
Budget option, no delegate rate
Book directly via hotel website

* Accommodation rates and booking links will be confirmed when registration opens. We recommend booking early as availability is limited.

Registration

Registration Costs

Registration includes full access to all keynote and technical sessions, the delegate pack, catering throughout the event, and access to the evening welcome reception. The Conference Dinner is available as an optional add-on.

Early Bird
[Price TBC]
Available until [Date TBC]
  • All conference sessions
  • Delegate pack & proceedings
  • Catering & welcome reception
  • Exhibition access
Student / Researcher
[Price TBC]
Valid institutional ID required
  • All conference sessions
  • Delegate pack & proceedings
  • Catering & welcome reception
  • Exhibition access
Conference Dinner
[Price TBC]
Optional add-on, limited seats
  • Evening of Day 2
  • [Venue / location TBC]
  • Three-course dinner
  • Networking & awards
Register Now

Registration opens [Month Year]. For group bookings of 5 or more, please contact us directly.

Sponsors & Partners

Our Sponsors

LASRA 2026 is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Sponsorship packages are available across three tiers, offering excellent visibility to an engaged, senior industry audience.

Contact

Get in Touch

For all conference enquiries, registration, abstract submissions, sponsorship, accommodation, or general information, please use the details below or complete the contact form.

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General Enquiries conference@lasra.co.nz
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Abstract Submissions abstracts@lasra.co.nz
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Sponsorship & Exhibitions sponsorship@lasra.co.nz
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Phone [+XX (X) XXXX XXXX]
Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00 [Time Zone]
🏢
LASRA [Organisation Address Line 1]
[City, Country, Postcode]

Abstract Submission Deadline Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted by [Date TBC]. Authors will be notified of acceptance by [Date TBC].

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