The lecture programme of the first day was focused on the future of the European leather industry and research to mold infestation. The second day offered a series of lectures at different process stages of leather production, including for retanning and fatliquoring. Also the mechanical engineering was presented with a number of interesting presentations.
In the afternoon of the first day the participants could choose a guided tour in the mineral exhibition "Terra Mineralia", the silver mine "Reiche Zeche" or through the Freiberg Cathedral. In the evening during the social dinner the possibility was given to meet friends and get new contacts and continue the scientific and technical exchange with colleagues.
During the evening event the VGCT annual prize was awarded: Rudolf Ebeling (Management Heller leather) & Peter Pöppel (former CEO Südleder GmbH & Co. KG) were awarded for their life´s work. The laudatio speakers, Dr Dietrich Tegtmeyer (LANXESS Germany GmbH) and Dr Thomas Feigel (former CEO of Trumpler), paid tribute to the performance and the extremely high level of commitment for the tanning and leather industry of the laureates.
The already 6th Freiberg Leather Days will take place on June 21 and 22, 2017 for the first time abroad. Together wirth the Dutch association NVLST interesting presentations and an attractive programme will be presented in Oisterwijk/ Netherlands. The organizers are already looking forward to their guests from Europe and all over the world.