The 59th Edition of the Leather Research Industry Government (LERIG) Conclave, hosted by CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) was organised on 2nd February 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Chennai. The event brought together key stakeholders from the leather and leather chemical & product industries with informative technical sessions that offered valuable insights on the theme - Sustainability and Circular Approaches for the Leather Economy (SCALE).
Dr P Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of 59th edition of LERIG Conclave emphasizing the indispensability of sustainability and circularity in the leather and leather chemicals & products industries. In his presidential address Padma Shri M Rafeeque Ahmed, President, All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association (AISHTMA) and Chairperson, Farida Group, stated that product industry market is steered by consumer preference to buy sustainable products. He emphasised that lasting and responsibility makes the leather industry to gain space in the circularity.
Technology Transfer agreement was exchanged between CSIR-CLRI and M/s. Infinite – Art to Heart, Chennai, Tamil Nadu towards the process technology developed for producing leather for musical instruments by CSIR-CLRI, as part of the CSIR-Fast Tack Translational Project
This designer workshop focused on enlightening the gathering on the fundamentals of colour and vision and their significance in design, the evolution of Indian design, market understanding and consumer expectations. The designers emphasized on market-oriented design solutions highlighting the tradition and craftsmanship.
Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR–CLRI launched the brochure on Training Course for the Advanced Footwear and Bags Design, which will be offered by CSIR–CLRI in the forthcoming academic sessions.
A panel discussion on "Roadmap for Sustainable Development of Leather Sector” was moderated by Dr. P Saravanan, Scientist G, CSIR-CLRI.