The prize
The Research Commission of IULTCS (International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies) has announced the winners of the 2018 edition of the Young Leather Scientist Awards, a prize awarded to young researchers engaged in the study of new technologies for leather processing. There were two awards: one for basic research and the other for best work in the Sustainability and Environmental Protection category. From the 2019 edition, a third scholarship (1000 euros) will be offered for the projects in Machinery and Equipment financed by Erretre, a company from Arzignano (Vicenza), world leader in the production of machinery and technological systems for the tanning sector.
The winners
The award for basic research and the corresponding 1500 euros scholarship was awarded to Catherine Ann Maidment of the New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association. She proposed a work on the relationship between the protein composition of leathers and their tendency to widen and shrink. On the other hand, the 1000 euros scholarship was awarded to Shahruk Nur-A-Tomal, an engineer and researcher at the University of New South Wales (Australia), who won with a project on the use of leather processing waste as biomass in the steel production process. To support the Young Leather Scientist Award 2018 economically, have been, together with IULTCS, Lear Corporation and TFL, respectively world leader in the supply of automotive and chemical interiors.
