The collaboration that has been driving critical conversations and strengthening the leather supply chain is officially renewed: the CICB Sustainability Forum will once again be held during Fimec – the International Fair of Leather, Chemicals, Components, Machinery and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries – in its 2026 edition. The event is set for March 3–5, 2026, in Novo Hamburgo (RS), with the Forum scheduled for the afternoon of March 4, the second day of the fair.

The announcement reinforces the successful partnership between the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB), the Forum’s organizer, and Fenac, the institution behind Fimec. Both organizations share a clear mission: to promote innovation, encourage business opportunities, and bring the industry’s key players together to discuss timely and strategic topics.

Jung and Bello, at the confirmation for 2026

The agreement for the upcoming edition was confirmed with the presence of José Fernando Bello, Executive President of CICB; Márcio Jung, CEO of Fenac; and Rogério Cunha, CICB’s Trade Intelligence Manager. According to the representatives, the initiative continues to prove itself as a highly effective model for integrating content and business, generating positive results across the leather industry.

This will mark the fourth consecutive edition of the CICB Sustainability Forum held within Fimec. The first two focused on bovine traceability, while the most recent explored Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). All editions have attracted a highly qualified audience from across Brazil, reinforcing Novo Hamburgo’s position as a hub for innovation and knowledge exchange in the sector. “The Forum is a vital platform for dialogue and updates in the leather industry, and Fimec offers the perfect setting to broaden these discussions,” said José Fernando Bello. “With each edition, we see greater synergy between the two initiatives, and the value this partnership brings to companies, professionals, and the global image of Brazilian leather.”

The 2025 edition of the Forum

Márcio Jung also welcomed the continuation of the collaboration, emphasizing the alignment between both institutions. “Renewing the partnership between Fimec and the CICB Forum for the 2026 edition reflects one of Fenac’s most impactful joint initiatives in recent years,” he noted. Jung further highlighted the Forum’s contribution to the fair: “It plays a major role in attracting visitors and in deepening the connection within the leather industry. Fimec becomes not only a marketplace but also a meeting point for high-level debate, industry growth, and strategic collaboration.

Details on the 2026 CICB Sustainability Forum – including its central theme, agenda, and registration – will be announced throughout the year on CICB and Fimec’s official channels.