The 4th Freiberg Ledertage ended last Friday with a new record number of participants. Over 200 participants from 17 countries accepted the invitation of the organizers, the Association for Tannery Chemistry and Technology (VGCT) e.V. and the Research Institute for Leather and Plastic Sheeting (FILK), both based in Freiberg, to Berlin Adlershof.
The Science and Technology Park Berlin Adlershof, where once the cradle of motor aviation stood, offered an interesting framework for this as a venue for events. Today, research into the technologies of tomorrow is conducted at this location. The future is within reach here. Very special people meet and together they develop ideas that will change the world, and networks are created and cooperation agreements are made. Nowhere else will you find such a density of entrepreneurs, scientists, founders and students.
The lecture program on the first day of the conference focused primarily on the "Blue Angel" eco-label for leather and, with regard to this, on emissions from leather, compliance with requirements and how to reduce them. The second day of the conference offered a series of lectures on wet finishing, chrome-free tanning processes and drying and conditioning of leather, among other topics.
The annual VGCT award ceremonies were held before the lectures began. Dr. Beate Haaser (Südleder GmbH), Chairwoman of the VGCT Board of Management, honored Philipp Weimann as the best apprentice of the year (LANXESS Deutschland GmbH) with the junior staff development award. It is endowed with 500 €. Philipp Weimann now works for Heinen Leder GmbH & Co KG.
Dr. Gerhard Wolf (BASF) was awarded the VGCT Annual Prize for his life's work in the service of the tanning and leather industry. The laudator, Dietrich Tegtmeyer (LANXESS Deutschland GmbH), honored his achievements, particularly in the development of auxiliaries for wet finishing and dyes for leather production.
On the evening between the two days of the event, there was an opportunity to explore the Science and Technology Park Berlin Adlershof with guided tours of the site and to socialize, cultivate contacts, meet friends and engage in scientific and technical exchange with colleagues from industry at the Social Dinner.
The 5th Freiberg Leather Days will take place on June 15 and 16, 2016 in Freiberg. The organizers are already looking forward to their guests from Europe and all over the world.