Shoes and upholstery, accessories and belts, handbags and satchels - for centuries they have been made from leather and for many decades also from coated textiles. For a few years now, the search for fossil-free and non-animal material alternatives for the same areas of application has been very dynamic. Fungi, alginate, cork, natural latex and bacterial cellulose, but also wine and apple pomace or cactus and pineapple fibers are being investigated in various combinations. The seminar will provide an overview of developments in this field and show the potential and challenges of using such alternative materials.
First Day, 10.04.2025
from 12:30 | Welcome snack |
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13:00 | Welcome | Dr. Sascha Dietrich FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
13:20 | Impulse lecture „Variety of material alternatives to leather and synthetics - trends, strategies, recent developments“ | Prof. Dr. Michael Meyer FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
14:10 | Break | |
14:25 | Terminology and Definitions | Dr. Sascha Dietrich FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
14:45 | General structures of materials
| Prof. Dr. Haiko Schulz FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
15:20 | Break | |
15:50 | Specifications and Testing | Dr. Sascha Dietrich FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
16:25 | Guided tour through test laboratory, technica and tanning | Dr. Sascha Dietrich tbd FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
17:25 | End of 1st day | |
18:30 | Joint dinner at "Stadtwirtschaft", Freiberg |
Second day, 11.04.2025
8:30 | Biomaterials and Biodegradability | Dr. Anke Mondschein FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
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09:20 | Recycling
| Dr. Anke Mondschein FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
09:55 | Break |
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10:25 | Ecological Footprint of plant-based altenatives to leather
| Stefan Dittrich FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
10:55 | Comparative life cycle assessment of leather, faux leather and trendy alternatives | Dr. Bernhard Trommer FILK gGmbH, Freiberg |
11:25 | Closing round |
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11:45 | Fare Well snack / End of the training seminar |
Your Speakers

Dr Sascha Dietrich

Prof Michael Meyer
![[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Haiko Schulz](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/5/csm__DSC0014medium_384df4c94a.jpg)
[Translate to English:] Prof. Dr. Haiko Schulz

Dr Anke Mondschein

Stefan Dittrich
Journey and Accommodation
You can find information on how to get here and where to stay HERE. In Freiberg, everything in the city center is within easy walking distance.