Partnerships

We believe that partnerships and collaborations are key to catalyze the process to create a socially and environmentally sustainable leather value chain.

It is therefore that Royal Smit & Zoon closely collaborates with a selected group of leather industry organisations, by sharing our knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.

Leather Naturally

Royal Smit & Zoon is a member of the Leather Naturally (LN) Association. Royal Smit & Zoon is also a donator of the METCHA promotional campaign. We support LN because we believe that the global audience needs to stay connected with leather, understand and value the unique characteristics and value the sustainability of the material.

Leather Naturally promotes the use of globally-manufactured sustainable leather and seeks to inspire and inform designers, creators, and consumers about its beauty, quality and versatility.

The LN website is a resource that anyone can access to obtain balanced information about the leather industry. Content is also promoted via social media and press releases. LN promotes its activities at major leather fairs and selected conferences. It reaches consumers via the METCHA global campaign.

For more information, visit the LN website.

Or follow Leather Naturally on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Our Leather Naturally certification can be found here.

Leather Working Group

Royal Smit & Zoon is an active member of the Leather Working Group (LWG) as we are convinced that this is the leading multi-stakeholder group that drives sustainability in the leather industry. Smit & Zoon has been – and still is – one of the main drivers to intensify the focus on the safe use of chemicals in the audit protocol for leather manufacturers.

The objectives of this multi-stakeholder group are to develop and maintain protocols that assess the environmental compliance and performance capabilities of leather manufacturers and to promote sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry. The LWG is made up of member brands, retailers, product manufacturers, leather manufacturers, chemical suppliers, machinery suppliers, technical experts and other service providers that work together to maintain environmental stewardship protocols for the leather manufacturing industry.

More information on the LWG can be found on LWG’s website.

Our LWG certification can be found here.

Sustainable Leather Foundation

Royal Smit & Zoon is an active member of the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) and is currently providing the Chairman of the SLF Advisory Board. Environmental, Social and Economic responsibility is essential in today’s leather industry and SLF’s aim is to support the stakeholders to learn, improve and protect for future generations. The SLF provides tangible solutions & tools to demonstrate sustainable practice throughout the leather value chain, from farm to finished product.

More information on the Sustainable Leather Foundation can be found on their website.

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals

Royal Smit & Zoon is a value chain affiliate to the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) agreement, as this is the leading initiative that focuses on safer chemistry. We take on an active role by participating in multiple task teams to drive the industry forward.

The ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme is a coalition of fashion brands, value chain affiliates and associates. Together we empower the global textile, leather, apparel and footwear value chain to substitute hazardous chemicals for safer ones in the production process. For more information, check the ZDHC website.

Our ZDHC certification can be found here.

Leather Impact Accelerator by Textile Exchange

Royal Smit & Zoon has signed the Charter of the Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA) program initiative by the Textile Exchange and takes part in the International Working Group.

The LIA is a program that enables members of the leather value chain to work towards shared expectations in a coordinated way. It provides a set of tools to align actions towards meaningful global impacts. It is not a standard, it is designed to leverage and add value to the work that is already being done in the beef and leather industries. LIA’s goal is to accelerate positive impacts in the leather industry through wide scale adoption of better practices; mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, respect social and animal welfare, and reduce the environmental impacts of leather production. For more information, visit the LIA website.

MVO Nederland

Royal Smit & Zoon is partner of MVO Nederland. Being a partner of MVO Nederland means being part of a movement of entrepreneurs that are all aiming for the same goal. Together we work on achieving climate neutrality, the circular economy, inclusive businesses and fair supply chains. Because these are all essential to ensuring the continuity of our business in the future.

For more information visit the website of MVO Nederland.

TEGEWA

Royal Smit & Zoon is a member of TEGEWA a German association of manufacturers of process and performance chemicals. TEGEWA’s vision is to strengthen the international competitiveness of the leading manufacturers of process and performance chemicals and jointly, assume responsibility as pioneers for the sustainable future of our Industry.

For more information visit the website of TEGEWA.

UNPAC

Codyeco is a member of UNPAC, an Italian national association of leather Chemical Producers to promote the Italian competences in the customized formulation of tanning-chemical auxiliaries towards the domestic and international tanning customers with particular care towards the issues of business sustainability.

For more information visit the website of UNPAC.

Micro-Fresh

Royal Smit & Zoon has obtained exclusive distributorship for the use of Micro-Fresh products on leather worldwide – excluding the United States of America. Smit & Zoon, including its subsidiary Codyeco and agents, has a global network that will be used to supply the Micro-Fresh products and services for leather finishing. This partnership enables Micro-Fresh to expand and us to support the use the Micro-Fresh products on leather.

For more information visit the website of Micro-Fresh.