Welcome to the Digital Traceability Platform
"Pakistan's Leather Sector: Traceability, Cleaner Production, and Circularity" Project
under Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme funded by the UK International Development
The leather sector plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economy, standing as the third-largest export industry and contributing around 4% to the national GDP. It provides livelihoods to over a million people. However, this essential industry faces significant environmental challenges, including hazardous waste, chemical pollution, and the absence of traceability within the value chain to ensure responsible sourcing practices.
As global markets increasingly demand sustainable and ethically sourced products, Pakistan’s leather sector must embrace innovative approaches to reduce its environmental footprint and enhance transparency across its operations.
Our project, a collaborative effort led by WWF-Pakistan and partners including Punjab Agriculture & Meat Company (PAMCO), Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), Information Technology University (ITU), and Leather Field Pvt Ltd., is pioneering solutions to transform the leather industry.
To address these issues, WWF-Pakistan, in collaboration with partners, is driving innovation through these three pilot work packages:
Traceability
Develop and implement a digital traceability toolkit to track leather hides from direct suppliers to factories, increasing transparency, meeting international standards, and fostering trust within the value chain.
Circularity
Recycle waste from leather processing, such as trimmings, fleshing, and shavings, by converting it into water-resistant surfactants. This supports sustainable practices and reduces waste.
Cleaner Production
Reduce wastewater pollution by introducing lipase enzymes to replace harmful commercial agents and toxic organic solvents, improving environmental and worker safety.
For more information, visit: SMEP Tanneries | WWF