In a major push toward green manufacturing and cost-efficient production, the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) actively participated in a series of comprehensive "Outreach Programmes" across major leather clusters in Tamil Nadu organised by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) Southern Region. These initiatives aimed to equip local tanneries and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) with cutting-edge, sustainable technologies to address environmental and operational challenges.
The technical sessions across the clusters were led by Dr. P. Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI, alongside senior scientists, and were graced by Shri Malack Abdul Wahab, Regional Chairman (South), Council of Leather Exporters who highlighted the region's production and export performance, including upcoming Leather Working Group (LWG) audit requirements.
Key Highlights from the Cluster Deployments
• Ranipet Leather Cluster: Hosted by the South India Tanners & Dealers Association at Walajapet, CLRI experts delivered targeted insights on the future roadmap of Indian leather. Key focus areas included cleaner technological options, solid waste utilization technologies and comprehensive cost-reduction strategies in chemical processing to enhance global competitiveness.
• Ambur, Vaniyambadi, and Pernambut Leather Cluster: Held at the Ambur Trade Centre in association with the South India Shoe Manufacturers Association and the Ambur Tanners Association, the discussions centered on balancing industry growth with ecological sustainability.
Demonstrating a hands-on commitment to industry problem-solving, the Director of CSIR-CLRI and a team of scientists conducted a specialized site visit to the Talco Pernambut Tannery Effluent Treatment Company Limited. The team inspected the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) and reviewed the ongoing upgradation work under the STEP sub-scheme of DPIIT’s IFLDP scheme. The visit concluded with direct discussions with local tanners targeting waste management practices.
• Pallavaram Leather Cluster: Hosted by the Pallavaram Tanners Association (PTA) and PTIETC, the session provided practical frameworks for the sustainable development and long-term viability of urban-proximate leather clusters.
Impact and Way Forward
Through these interactive forums, CSIR-CLRI has reaffirmed its mandate to bridge laboratory research with industrial application. By providing practical, technology-driven solutions for effluent and waste management, the institute continues to anchor the Indian leather sector’s transition toward an eco-friendly, zero-waste circular economy, securing both environmental compliance and global market alignment.