We are talking about a research project that aims to determine the inner workings of manufacturing processes on which finished leather tensile strength hangs on. On top of that, that offers the possibility to test and detect the effects of mineral tanning substances on the physical properties of the finished product, and therefore assess and consider alternative products to obtain the same result. Such are some of the research guidelines of the project that won the Young Leather Scientist Grant contest, on its fourth edition: the prize, which aims to support leather young researchers, has been created and promoted by IULTCS (the International Union of Leather Technologists), together with Lear Corporation. The winner, Yi Zhang, from New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association, got 1,500 euros. According to Luis Zugno, president of IULTCS Research Committee, “a higher quality of submitted research projects and a wider number of innovative issues” are evidence of the growing interest in the contest, on its fourth edition.
The secrets of leather resistance… and the IULTCS-LEAR scholarship goes to a researcher from New Zealand
