We published a new edition of Leatherbiz Market Intelligence on May 7. Subscribers can read the full report here. Go to Leatherbiz.

This time the stand-out topic is the suggestion of talks behind the scenes over the future of the European leather industry. Our report says a lot of thought is going into ways of reducing capacity (in the face of lower demand) so as to avoid over-production of finished leather in Europe, but without causing “major financial damage” to the sector.

The newsletter says that ideas under discussion include takeovers, mergers, co-operation agreements and “strategic communities” in which leather manufacturers will work together.

It warns, though, that it remains to be seen how much willingness there is to press ahead.