I'm Tan

September is the month of new beginnings. It's back to work, back to school, back to daily routines. But it can also be the right time to change something, to make more conscious choices. For example: have you ever thought about how sustainable the materials you wear are? Vegetable-tanned leather, obtained using natural tannins derived from plants such as chestnut and quebracho, is a choice that combines aesthetics, durability, and respect for the environment. Thanks to the LIFE I'M TAN project, this ancient craft has been innovated through green chemistry processes that reduce water consumption by up to 60% and pollutants by up to 80%, while valorising waste in a circular economy. Choosing vegetable leather accessories is not just a matter of style, but a concrete gesture for a more sustainable future. Because even small everyday gestures can have a big impact. September can be an opportunity to start making better choices. Starting with what we wear. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #LIFEProgramme #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalInnovation #Teamwork #EUProjects

Nature is sounding the alarm. Science can make a difference. According to the latest WWF Living Planet Report, wildlife vertebrate populations have declined by 73% since 1970. While only 16% of land and 8% of oceans are protected—and many of these areas are poorly managed; intensive farming still occupies 71% of agricultural land, largely to feed livestock. 📉 And did you know that 30–40% of all food produced is never eaten? This alone accounts for 4.4% of global emissions, a reminder of how urgently we need to rethink our production models towards circularity and regeneration. In this critical scenario, every innovation counts. In the European project LIFE I’M TAN, sustainability is not a slogan: it’s a daily choice. 👉 We have developed modified natural tannins that significantly reduce: ✔️water use in the tanning process by up to 60% ✔️ pollutants in wastewater (COD -40%, synthetic agents -80%) ✔️ reliance on non-renewable chemicals 🍃 At LIFE I’M TAN, we’re looking forward. And we’re ready to share our results with those who believe in leather that respects the planet, enhances performance, and anticipates a sustainable future. 🔗 Learn more: www.life-imtan.eu Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #LifeProgramme #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalInnovation #NaturalTannins #CircularEconomy #LeatherIndustry #EUProjects

Within a few years, every product sold in the European Union will have to be accompanied by a digital passport. The so-called Digital Product Passport (DPP) will contain detailed information on the origin of materials, the production process, environmental performance, and disposal methods. This is a momentous change that will revolutionize the way we conceive and communicate sustainability. LIFE I'M TAN is already ready for this challenge. Our modified natural tannins are designed to be integrated into traceable, transparent, and low-impact processes, in line with the new Regulation on deforestation-free products and the principles of eco-design. From the outset, the project has worked to define clear and communicable KPIs (LCA, LCC, chemical-physical performance), laying the foundations for a model that can be replicated on an industrial scale. In other words: a sustainable leather that can also be documented. Because without data, there can be no true ecological transition. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #LIFEProgramme #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalInnovation #Teamwork #EUProjects

What do salad and vegetable-tanned leather have in common? Simple: the circular economy! Where nothing is thrown away. Everything is valued. When we talk about sustainability, we often only look at the final product. But the circular economy begins much earlier and ends much later. With LIFE I'M TAN, even the by-products of leather tanning become valuable resources for other sectors: a true example of scientifically structured upcycling. Vegetable waste that was once considered rubbish is now valued as ingredients for animal feed, fertilizers for organic farming, and low-impact resins. And there is more: even the trimmings from leather treated with our new modified natural tannins can be hydrolyzed and reintroduced into the production cycle, perfectly closing the loop. Leather that not only respects nature but actively contributes to nourishing it. This is the new frontier of sustainable tanning: not just “polluting less” but creating value at every step of the supply chain. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainability #sustainableleather #leather #naturalleather #vegetabletannedleather #tannins

A sustainable revolution in the leather tanning world is gaining attention — and LIFE I’M TAN is at the heart of it. 🌱 The leading innovation magazine MPA Style has published a detailed feature on our EU-funded LIFE I’M TAN project, highlighting how modified natural tannins are transforming vegetable leather tanning into a high-performance, eco-conscious process.  Our new modified natural tannins, developed by the project, improve leather softness, allow pastel colour ranges and reduce water and chemical consumption. The result? A sustainable leather that performs even better, meets tomorrow’s environmental standards (like the Digital Product Passport), and opens the door to new circular applications — from fashion to agriculture. By-products from the production of these advanced tannins are being explored as raw materials for resins and bio-fertilizers, closing the loop of a truly circular system. We are proud to see LIFE I’M TAN gaining more recognition across the leather and sustainability industries. A special thanks to the MPA Style editorial team for sharing our story! 📌 Read the full article. Link at first comment! #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainableleather #vegetabletannedleather #CMNT #naturaltannins #leatherinnovation #circulareconomy #MPAStyle #LifeImTan

LaConceria , the renowned Italian magazine, has featured an insightful article on our LIFE I’M TAN project, following the recent event in Vinci (Florence). This gathering highlighted the innovative outcomes of our EU-funded initiative, showcasing how it is pushing the boundaries of natural leather tanning. 🌍 📖 The article delves into the key stages of our journey, focusing on the development of a new class of natural modified tannins capable of delivering superior leather quality while ensuring complete environmental sustainability. 🌿 Key takeaways from the article include:  👉 “The applied technology has significantly improved the performance of natural tannins—especially chestnut and quebracho—enhancing their colour while reducing wastewater treatment. Furthermore, by-products from this innovative process can be repurposed across various industrial sectors, as valid alternatives to synthetics.” We’re proud to see LIFE I’M TAN gaining recognition among leather industry professionals and changemakers, and we look forward to continuing our journey toward a more sustainable future. 🌱 Read more 👉 visit the link at first comment! #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainableleather #vegetabletannedleather #tannins #CMNT #innovation #circulareconomy #leatherindustry #LaConceria #LifeImTan

The breathtaking hills surrounding the Italian leather district of Santa Croce were the perfect venue for the closing event of LIFE I’m TAN—an afternoon full of insights, collaboration, and vision for a more sustainable leather industry.   After four years of intense research and teamwork, we proudly unveiled a new generation of modified natural tannins: innovativ, high-performing, and truly sustainable solutions designed to redefine the future of vegetable tanning.   Highlights from the project included: - A significant reduction in environmental impact during the tanning process, with cleaner water and greater overall efficiency. - The creation of high-performance leathers in soft, pastel colours, combining technical excellence with aesthetic versatility. - A lower chemical load throughout the process, supporting cleaner production cycles and safer working conditions.   These findings sparked a lively roundtable on the role of sustainability in today’s and tomorrow’s leather industry, exploring how this breakthrough can drive greener practices and respond to evolving regulatory and consumer expectations. A heartfelt thank you to Fulvia Bacchi, Gustavo Adrián Defeo, and all the other speakers for providing such valuable insights into sustainability and leather during the event. Last but certainly not least, our sincere thanks to all our partners: together, we've demonstrated that innovation and nature can — and must—go hand in hand.   The future is natural. And it starts now. Eric Poles Samuele Giovando Valentina Beghetto Andrea Cassani Clara Salvini Giulia Mastellone Silvia Conca vanessa gatto Dario Morelli Pietro Pantani Cosimo Rovini Francesca Bertelloni Andrea Giachi Pietro Rosati Eugenio Giani   #ImTAN #Silvateam #Incas #Crossing #Aquarno #CRCF #Sustainability #NaturalTannins #Innovation #LeatherIndustry #LIFEProgramme #EcoInnovation

It is green chemistry. Environmentally friendly and designed to have a reduced impact on the ecosystem. A perfect outcome of this fascinating approach is our LIFE I’M TAN project. Our new modified natural tannins are not only more sustainable. They also perform better, are more reactive, and more effective than the benchmarks assessed throughout the project, even at low dosages. This means less waste, more efficiency and more possibilities. Behind the scenes of quality leather, there is an invisible but revolutionary technology. And all the power of science. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainability #sustainableleather #leather #naturalleather #vegetabletannedleather #tannins

A heartfelt thank you to International Leather Maker for promoting the LIFE I’m project! Your support is key to raising awareness and inspiring real change within the leather industry. We’re committed to driving a true transformation of the sector by prioritizing sustainability through eco-conscious practices and responsible ingredients. Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainability #sustainableleather #leather #naturalleather #vegetabletannedleather #tannins #vegetabletannedleather #LIFEIMTAN #greenchemistry #circularleather

June, 22 will be World Rainforest Day. Rainforests are home to 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity and play a crucial role in the planet’s climate balance. Yet, every year, we lose precious hectares due to unsustainable production practices. With LIFE I'M TAN, we want to show that an alternative is possible: our modified natural tannins are derived from responsibly managed botanical sources, respecting both the forest heritage and the communities that protect it. Choosing sustainably tanned leather is not just about aesthetics; it’s a concrete step towards a more sustainable future. Every choice counts - even the ones you make when buying a bag, a pair of shoes, or... a sofa! Life20 ENV/IT/000759 #lifeprogramme #lifeproject #sustainability #sustainableleather #leather #naturalleather #vegetabletannedleather #tannins