Positive results for the Chinese leather industry in the first half of the year are set to boost activity at next week’s All China Leather Exhibition in Shanghai. By ILM.

The event will take place from September 3-5 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Pudong.

Strong results for Chinese leather

The China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) reports that strong results for Chinese leather sector will drive activity at the fair.

In the first five months of 2024, net profit increased by 18.1% in the furniture manufacturing sector, while the combined leather, footwear and associated sectors had an increase of 6.1%.

Meanwhile, imports of raw hides, semi-finished and finished leather were all up year-on-year and exports of semi-finished and finished leather reportedly grew exponentially.

China’s GDP growth

According to the IMF, the GDP growth of China’s economy is running at 5% in H1 of 2024 and outpacing major economies such as the Euro Area, the U.S. and Japan. Only India is growing at a faster rate.

One of the main drivers of the Chinese economy is the booming automotive sector, which sold 30.13 million units in 2023. This year, the growth of this key sector has continued in 2024. In H1, more than 13.891 million units have been manufactured and sales have topped 14.047 million in the first six months of the year, according to figures published by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

These figures represent a growth of 4.9% and 6.1% respectively. It also indicates that the automotive interior sector should have more demand for leather seating and interiors.

ACLE 2024

This year’s edition of the event will cover an exhibition area of 92,000 sq m, across halls E1 – E7 and W1 of the SNIEC.

There are a total of 1,034 exhibitors including 16 group pavilions from nine countries and regions: Australia, Brazil (2), China (Fuxin, Haining, Ouhai, Pingyu, Wuji, Xinji and Zhaoyuan) France, Italy, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand and the U.S.

The number of exhibitors is slightly more than last year and indicates that ACLE is holding its own, according to the organisers. This is despite a fragile world economy and weak demand and low orders in the leather industry.

Onsite events

The trade fair will be complemented and strengthened by a comprehensive event agenda that includes seminars on new process chemicals and advanced shoe machinery; fashion trends; Leather Workshops and an Award Ceremony. Thesecond edition of the International Tanning Industry Executive Summit will also be held on the first day of ACLE.

For more information and to register, head to www.aclechina.com.