The SYL Project Successfully Concludes Its Mission to Make the Vegetable-Tanned Yak Leather Industry in Mongolia More Sustainable
The Sustainable Yak Leather (SYL) project consortium met on 4 and 5 November in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) to hold its final project meeting and closing conference, officially marking the end of a fruitful four-year period of international collaboration within Mongolia’s vegetable-tanned yak leather sector.
Funded by the European Commission’s SWITCH-Asia Grants Programme, the SYL project has contributed to transforming the sector through the introduction of cleaner production processes, technical training for tanneries, and the strengthening of the vegetable-tanned yak leather cluster in Mongolia.
1. Reducing Environmental Impact
SYL has promoted the adoption of vegetable-tanning technologies and more sustainable processes within the yak leather cluster, reducing the use of polluting chemicals and improving effluent and waste management. These actions aimed to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the participating tanneries, in line with the project’s initial objectives.
2. Improving Resource Efficiency
The project has fostered a more efficient management of yak hides from their source, improving traceability and reducing losses along the value chain. In addition, specialised technical training has been provided on optimising tanning processes and maintaining leather quality.
During the final meeting, the project partners — European Profiles S.A. (Coordinator), Vakakis and Associates, Inescop, the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), the Hellenic Association of Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters (ELSEVIE), the Mongolian Association of Leather Industry (MALI) and Brand Gutal LLC — presented the main outcomes and validated the success indicators achieved.
The closing conference brought together representatives from public institutions, tanners, industrial associations and international experts, consolidating SYL’s role as a catalyst for change towards a more responsible, profitable and environmentally conscious yak leather production model.
During the conference, Inescop, represented by Esperanza Almodóvar, delivered a speech entitled “Future Trends and Expected Status of the Global Leather Industry”, which explored current and emerging trends shaping the future of the global tanning sector. The presentation highlighted that growth in the global leather market will continue to be driven by the fashion, automotive, furniture and luxury sectors. However, this growth will be influenced by environmental challenges, new regulations, competition from alternative materials, and the adoption of environmental and social criteria as purchasing factors.
After the event, the project managers were invited to the Parliament Palace in the Mongolian capital, where they held a meeting with Javkhlan Bayarsaikhan, the advisor to the President of Mongolia in charge of coordinating civil society projects and policies.
Future Impact and Legacy