Environmentally friendly collaboration ranked ‘Outstanding’ by national body

A collaborative research project from the University to reuse manufacturing waste has supported one organisation on its way to becoming more environmentally friendly.

Thanks to a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between University of Northampton’s (UON) Institute for Creative Leather Technologies and Scottish Leather Group (SLG) their leather tanning process is even more environmentally sustainable by using waste materials generated by other industries.

The new process has equipped SLG with an alternative processing method, helping secure their position as a global market leader for low carbon footprint leather manufacture.

The University’s Professor in Leather Science, Will Wise reflected on the successful partnership: “From the very start of the project, the team formed a strong relationship, and we were lucky that the nominated KTP Associate – Luc Vogtlander – was motivated and driven to achieve the best outcomes for the project and SLG.”

“This led to us making a real and meaningful impact on the SLG business and product line, supporting them in their continued efforts and ambitions to remain at the forefront of sustainability within leather manufacturing.”

KTPs are funded by Innovate UK and address specific challenges and enable the transfer of knowledge, technology and expertise between academic partners and businesses or organisations. They are highly effective in driving innovation and growth and are also a valuable tool for businesses and organisations seeking to stay ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.

Ranked awards are presented to hundreds of KTPs taking place throughout the country each year, with the maximum grade of ‘Outstanding’ reserved for the highest performing KTP projects – with less than 30% of all completed projects obtaining this result across the whole of the UK.

In recognition of the University and Scottish Leather Group’s success, the project has been graded ‘Outstanding’ by the national agency that funds KTPs, Innovate UK. They are shortlisted for the Technical Excellence Award; the ceremony will be held on Wednesday 27 November.

Find out more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at University of Northampton.