In the survey, 82 % of respondents cited increasing costs as one of their biggest concerns over the past year, followed by weak consumer demand for leather at 53% and lower order volumes at 49 %.
The survey, now in its 12th edition, also points to concerns about competition from alternative materials. Around 80 % of respondents said they were concerned about customers switching to non-leather materials, with 66 % specifically identifying plastics and synthetic materials.
Despite the challenging market environment, investment remains on the agenda. According to the results, 31 % of tanneries plan to invest in artificial intelligence and automation, up from 22 % in 2025, while 56 % intend to invest in new machinery and equipment.
Traceability and regulation are another focus. Almost half of respondents, 47 %, expect new sustainability, traceability and product compliance requirements to have a negative impact on supply chains. At the same time, 51 % reported that their raw-material traceability currently extends only as far as the slaughterhouse.
