With different approaches and at different levels, companies are working on sustainability fronts in Brazil. Starting with traceability projects tied to leather. Marni, luxury brand of the OTB group, knows it well, as it signs the second collaboration with Veja for the high-top V-15 model (in photo on the right). For the model, suede and nabuk leather come from Uruguay, but are tanned in Brazil in the Southern Rio Grande region. Sustainability though isn’t only for brands working in the luxury segment. It’s the case of Gruppo Arezzo, Brazilian footwear manufacturer that, during the pandemic period, started exploring opportunities in the digital segment, diversifying production and obtaining solid results.
Traceability projects
Arezzo’s choice, says local press, is necessary to become more credible on the sustainability front in sensible and strategic markets such as the US one. The group is investing in traceability project with blockchain, taking advantage of Blockforce’s support, a consulting firm with clients such as Tetrapak and C&A. The group, other than its admiral brand, also owns Schutz, Anacapri, Alexandre Birman, Fiever, Alme and MyShoes.
It has 5 production sites that are 100% owned, and some in outsourcing. The technology chosen by Arezzo is the same implemented in companies such as JBS and Marfrig: the blockchain allows the validation of the manufacturing phases and gives more transparency. At the moment, Arezzo is looking for suppliers that conform to regulations. The short-term goal for 2022 is to have 20% of the leather used for shoes traceable. In the long run, by 2024, 100% of the leather will be traceable via Blockchain.
