Lab receives accreditation for testing leather from Italy

22 Jul '09

2 min read

The Italian government offered a laboratory accreditation to the Leather and Leather Product Technology Institute (LLPTI) to test five important chemical components of leather and leather products.

In order to promote the development of this sector, Italian Government is supporting this new initiative, which is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Due to this laboratory accreditation the institute can cover important tests for chromium (VI), formaldehyde, tensile strength, colour fastness and chemical oxygen demand (COD), said the Director LLPTI, Mr. Solomon Getu.

Also the institute can carry out reorganization, professional training for staff, setting up laboratories for quality analysis and completion of the procedures for international accreditation through this laboratory accreditation, he added.

For new technical assistance project for up-grading the Ethiopian Leather and Leather Products industry, the Italian Development Corporation (IDC) provided 1.36 million Euros to LLPTI, in first phase of the project and in the second phase, IDC made a contribution of 2.6 million Euros.

This two year technical assistance project includes provision of technical assistance to tanning sector and to footwear and other leather products industries. It also will pay attention to the development of formal and informal micro and small scale enterprises.

The project will assist the MoTI for setting-up the new 'Textile and Leather Industry Development Centre' (TLIDC) and with the objective of strengthening the services to the local leather industry, the LLPTI too will receive benefits from further support.

To stimulate production capacity in leather sector, Italy has made a commitment to facilitate exports and foreign direct investments in Ethiopia, said Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Raffaele de Lutio.

The government of Ethiopia, particularly Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) is working with the institute, associations and individual companies to provide enormous potential growth opportunity for the industry, said the Minister, Mr. Tadesse Haile.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

More Textiles News - Ethiopia...