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Introduction: In May 2026, various regions and departments implemented proactive macroeconomic control policies, resulting in steady progress in national industrial production. Industrial product exports maintained double-digit growth, while equipment manufacturing, high-tech manufacturing, and digital product manufacturing continued to see strong growth. Green transformation of industries was implemented in an orderly manner, and the driving effect of new industrial drivers continued to be prominent.   I. Accelerated Industrial Production and Expanded Industry Growth Coverage   In May, the value added of industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide increased by 4.5% year-on-year, 0.4 percentage points higher than the previous month, and increased by 0.40% month-on-month after seasonal adjustment.   By three major categories: the value added of mining increased by 2.3% year-on-year, manufacturing by 4.4%, and the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water by 7.6%.   It covered all 41 major industrial sectors, of which 28 sectors achieved value added growth, representing 68.3% of the sectors.   II. Equipment Manufacturing Becomes the Core Support for Industrial Growth   The added value of equipment manufacturing enterprises above designated size increased by 9.5% year-on-year in May, accelerating by 1.2 percentage points month-on-month, contributing 78.4% to the growth of industrial enterprises above designated size. All eight sub-sectors under this industry saw growth.   The electronics industry grew by 17.0% year-on-year, reaching a new high in nearly five years, contributing 39.2% and leading all major industrial categories. The growth rates for instruments and meters, special equipment, automobiles, aerospace and shipbuilding, and general equipment were 10.3%, 9.1%, 8.3%, 7.4%, and 6.7%, respectively.   The output of high-end equipment products surged: power plant steam turbines increased by 70.7%, civilian steel ships by 70.6%, and medical instruments and equipment by 20.5%.   III. High-Tech Manufacturing Leads Industrial Upgrading   The added value of high-tech manufacturing increased by 15.1% year-on-year in May, accelerating by 2.3 percentage points month-on-month, contributing 57.0% to industrial growth, an increase of 4.9 percentage points from the previous month.   Sub-sectors showed strong growth: electronic component manufacturing (35.4%), aircraft manufacturing (24.2%), electronic industrial equipment (18.7%), and biopharmaceutical manufacturing (14.7%).   The entire artificial intelligence industry chain accelerated: sensor production increased by 24.1%, and integrated circuit production increased by 22.9%; the intelligent robot sector expanded rapidly, with robot reducers, industrial robots, and service robots seeing production increases of 44.7%, 27.9%, and 19.8%, respectively.   IV. The growth rate of the digital product manufacturing industry continued to accelerate.   The added value of the digital product manufacturing industry above designated size increased by 13.9% year-on-year, accelerating by 1.9 percentage points compared to the previous period, contributing 48.2% to industrial growth, an increase of 8.6 percentage points compared to the previous period.   The added value of electronic component and equipment manufacturing and intelligent equipment manufacturing increased by 19.7% and 18.0%, respectively.   The production and sales of industrial digitalization equipment are booming: 3D printing equipment production increased by 54.4%, while CNC metal cutting machine tools and CNC forging equipment increased by 16.7% and 13.7% respectively; demand for core components of industrial automation is strong, with industrial automatic control instruments, machine tool CNC devices, and industrial control computer systems growing by 41.3%, 23.1%, and 20.6% respectively.   V. Steady Progress in Green Transformation of Industries   Green-related industries are showing strong growth momentum, with the added value of biomass fuel processing and bio-based material manufacturing increasing by 47.1% and 16.2% year-on-year respectively.   The new energy industry chain continues to expand, with the production of new energy vehicles reaching 1.489 million units in May, driving a 40.0% increase in lithium-ion battery production; the supply of green raw materials has improved, with the production of lithium carbonate, fuel ethanol, and bio-based chemical fibers increasing by 20.8%, 21.0%, and 18.1% respectively.   VI. Stable Double-Digit Growth in Industrial Product Exports   In May, the export delivery value of industrial enterprises above designated size reached 1.4 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%. Equipment manufacturing was the main export driver, accounting for 74.6% of the industry's total export value, a year-on-year increase of 0.9 percentage points.   The export value of automobiles, aerospace/shipbuilding, and specialized equipment all achieved double-digit growth, with growth rates of 22.9%, 18.5%, and 16.1% respectively. The electronics industry saw a 9.9% increase in exports, contributing 38.1% of the total export growth.   Market Outlook and Development Direction   Comprehensive data shows that the domestic industrial economy in May was generally stable with progress, and the role of innovation-driven growth continued to strengthen. However, it is also important to acknowledge the complex and volatile external environment, and the real pressures faced by industrial enterprises, such as weak domestic demand and profit differentiation across industries.   In the next stage, all regions will fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development philosophy, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, and coordinate the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the expansion of emerging industries, and the forward-looking layout of future industries, taking multiple measures to promote high-quality development of the industrial economy.

Mink coats, with their unique texture and luxurious feel, have always been a high-end choice for winter wear. However, many consumers encounter a common problem when purchasing mink clothing: some coats of the same style remain fluffy and shiny even after years of wear, while others show signs of limpness, shedding, deformation, and wear after only a year. Industry insiders say the core reason for this difference is that consumers cannot distinguish between whole mink and patchwork mink, easily misled by low-price gimmicks and falling into consumer traps.   It is understood that many low-priced, trendy mink coats on the market are actually patchwork mink sold as whole mink. The difference between whole and patchwork mink is not simply a matter of craftsmanship; the two differ greatly in raw materials, feel, lifespan, price, and resale value, which is the key reason why consumers lose money when buying mink. Furthermore, the common misconception that "no seams mean whole mink, gaps mean patchwork" is a typical consumer misunderstanding and a common misleading tactic used by merchants.   Clarifying the Core Definition: Whole Mink Coats Use High-Quality Fur, Patchwork Mink Coats Use Scraps and Waste   Addressing common misconceptions, the fur industry has provided a proper definition, accurately distinguishing the core differences between whole mink coats and patchwork mink coats.   Whole mink coats, also known as full-grain mink coats, are made from large, intact mink back pelts. The head, tail, and limbs are removed during the cutting process, using only the thickest, tightest, and highest-quality core back pelt. There are no scraps, scraps, or waste pelts mixed in. A qualified whole mink coat is made from dozens of complete, large mink back pelts neatly pieced together. It's important to note that whole mink coats are not made from single mink pelts; the neat piecing together of large pelts is a standard technique in high-end mink garments and does not affect the quality or texture of the clothing.   Patchwork mink coats, also called scrap mink coats, are a product of cost-cutting measures. They mainly use scraps from the mink head, tail, paws, belly, and other small pieces of discarded pelts, densely pieced together and sewn together. These scraps of leather, with their uneven fur length, messy texture, and soft leather, are originally waste materials from mink coat production. After being machine-assembled and trimmed, they closely resemble whole mink coats, making them difficult for the average consumer to distinguish with the naked eye. Simply put, whole mink coats use high-quality core mink fur, while patchwork mink coats are made entirely from scraps, creating a significant quality difference from the very beginning.   Comprehensive Comparison: Four Core Differences Between Whole and Patchwork Mink Coats    Significant Differences in Texture and Appearance: Whole mink coats have a smooth, even fur surface, uniform and smooth texture, and consistent fur height throughout, possessing a delicate and warm sheen. The coat also has a crisp, structured silhouette, creating a slimming and luxurious look.    Patchwork mink coats, due to the use of fragmented leather, have a messy and disordered fur surface, with inconsistent fur length, density, and direction. The overall fur has a dull and lackluster sheen, the coat is soft and shapeless, and the details are uneven and patchy, making it difficult to conceal its cheap quality.   Lifespan Difference of Tenfold The core value of a mink coat lies in its durability and resale value. Whole mink pelts are thick, tough, and extremely resilient, resistant to cracking and peeling, with tightly rooted fur. Under normal care, they can be worn reliably for 5 to 10 years, maintaining their shape and becoming softer and shinier with wear, making them valuable for long-term wear and collection.   Patchwork mink coats are made from numerous scraps of pelt, resulting in thinner, more fragile pelts and many seams. Even slight pulling or friction can easily cause cracking, shedding, and down leakage. Most patchwork mink garments show significant signs of drooping, deformation, and hardening and aging of the pelts after only 1 to 2 years, offering virtually no re-wear value or resale value.   Huge Price and Cost Difference The difference in raw materials and craftsmanship creates a significant price gap. Whole mink pelts are scarce, and the complex manufacturing process results in extremely high production costs. Authentic whole mink coats generally start at tens of thousands of yuan, with top-quality purple-label whole mink coats reaching tens of thousands of yuan.   Patchwork mink coats are made from scraps and waste materials, resulting in extremely low costs—only one-third to one-fifth the price of whole mink coats. Their market price ranges from several hundred to two or three thousand yuan, making them a major category of low-priced, best-selling mink coats on e-commerce platforms.   Consumer Reminder: Understand the Essence of the Category and Avoid Mink Coat Traps   Industry experts remind consumers not to focus solely on style and price when purchasing mink coats, and not to blindly follow trends with low-priced best-sellers. When buying, it is crucial to carefully distinguish the materials and craftsmanship, understand the essential differences between whole mink and patchwork mink, avoid common misconceptions, prioritize reputable channels, and ensure the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Avoid paying high prices for inferior products due to a lack of understanding of category differences, and effectively avoid consumer traps.

In May, domestic prices for top-grain cowhide and sheepskin raw materials rose slightly throughout the month. Small and medium-sized leather processing plants specializing in genuine leather women's bags and business belts focused on upgrading their cutting processes to reduce material waste and offset raw material costs. Simultaneously, the industry tightened pricing for genuine leather bags and belts, both at the factory and retail levels.   Looking at raw material prices, domestic tumbled and full-grain cowhide (the main material for women's bags and regular business belts) saw a month-on-month increase of 4.2%-6.8%, while belt-specific cowhide rose by as much as 7.1%. Italian imported calfskin and Togo pebbled cowhide saw spot prices rise by approximately 5%, domestic sheepskin by 3.5%, and imported lambskin by 5.3%. The price increases stemmed from a reduction in domestic cattle slaughter, increased environmental protection costs at tanning plants, coupled with tightened exports of raw hides from South America and Australia, and higher import shipping costs. Genuine leather bags account for 45%-55% of the production cost per item, while genuine leather belts account for 42%-50%. Rising raw material prices directly squeeze the original net profit margin of small and medium-sized factories by 8%-12%.   To offset the pressure of rising prices, over a thousand small and medium-sized leather goods factories in core production areas such as Guangzhou Huadu and Wenzhou have implemented two loss reduction solutions: Firstly, they have purchased AI-powered intelligent vibrating knife cutting equipment. Relying on the system's intelligent layout, the utilization rate of cowhide raw materials has increased from 70%-73% to 81%-85%, and the utilization rate of sheepskin from 65% to 76%-79%. Factories without equipment purchase budgets have optimized pattern layout, utilizing gaps in the cut pieces to produce small accessories, increasing the secondary utilization rate of genuine leather scraps from 5% to 16%. The investment in a single intelligent cutting machine ranges from 38,000 to 65,000 yuan. Thanks to cost savings from material savings, belt and genuine leather bag manufacturers can typically recoup their investment in 3-5 months.   Product pricing is being adjusted in stages: prices for full-leather products are increasing, while prices for semi-leather products are being slightly adjusted to stabilize orders. The ex-factory price of business-grade full-leather cowhide belts is increasing by 3%-4.5%, and imported high-end cowhide belts by 5%-6%. The ex-factory price of domestically produced full-leather women's bags is increasing by 3%-4%, and sheepskin luxury women's bags by 4.8%-6%. Offline retail prices for full-leather belts are increasing by 4%-7%, and full-leather commuter bags by 5%-8%, with brands mostly adopting a phased pricing model. Prices for export orders to the Middle East and Southeast Asia are uniformly increasing by 3.2%-5%, and large-scale overseas orders are being postponed to observe the market outlook.   The industry is showing signs of polarization: leading large leather goods companies have locked in prices and stocked up in advance, seizing outflowing orders by maintaining low-priced inventory without adjusting prices; small and medium-sized factories are controlling losses through a combination of process optimization and slight price increases; workshops producing handmade vegetable-tanned genuine leather small bags and slim belts are facing the heaviest cost pressures, with retail prices rising by 7%-9%, and some workshops reducing their full-leather product SKUs. Industry leather traders predict that domestic cowhide prices are expected to stabilize in June, while imported high-end cowhide prices will remain high. Factories will continue to optimize product designs, shifting towards lightweight and material-saving styles.   Industry Notes at the End: This article's data is based on on-site surveys of the leather goods industry in Guangzhou and Wenzhou, focusing on the genuine leather handbag and business belt sub-sectors.

Recently, the International Leather Council, together with global meat, hide, and leather industry organizations, formally submitted a joint letter to the European Commission, focusing on the profound impact of the EU Zero Forest Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on international trade in cowhide and leather. The CLEIA responded actively, supporting the industry's collective voice and working together to maintain the stable operation of the global leather industry chain.   The core demands of this joint industry letter are: to request the European Commission to remove all cowhide and leather-related products under Customs Tariff HS41 from Annex I of the EUDR; and to further request that sheepskin, goatskin, and their derivatives not be included in new regulatory categories during subsequent reviews.   Summary of the Joint Letter's Core Content   The industry acknowledges the EU's decision to postpone the implementation of the legislation by 12 months and to simplify compliance requirements for SMEs. It also supports the EU's intention to further optimize the product coverage of the legislation and formally requests a reconsideration of the rationale for including raw hides, cowhides, and leather under Chapter 41 in the regulatory list.   From a scientific perspective, there is currently no empirical evidence to prove a causal link between raw hides/leather and deforestation. Research from the University of Pisa has also clearly confirmed that leather products are not a driving factor in deforestation and should be removed from the control list based on scientific evidence.   Continuing to regulate these products will severely impact the European and global leather industries. The EU leather industry is highly dependent on imported raw materials. According to estimates by the European Federation of Leather Associations (COTANCE), the new regulations could prevent nearly 40% of leather raw materials from entering the EU, creating serious market distortions. This will not only drive up local raw material prices and manufacturing costs in the EU but also significantly weaken the global competitiveness of European leather companies.   The current requirements of the legislation already constitute technical barriers to trade. Even in countries with no risk of deforestation, businesses struggle to meet the requirements for land geolocation and traceability: fragmented information on small-scale livestock farming, multiple transfers of livestock making traceability difficult, and data privacy regulations in various countries further complicate compliance. Meanwhile, limited EU beef imports and low added value of raw hides discourage companies from investing heavily in dedicated traceability systems.   Strict regulations will also trigger multiple negative chain reactions: large quantities of usable raw hides will be forced to be discarded or diverted to unrestricted products like gelatin and collagen, failing to contribute to zero deforestation goals and increasing greenhouse gas emissions; it will also force the market to use more fossil-based synthetic materials, contradicting the EU's circular economy development philosophy.   In summary, including HS41-compliant leather products under EUDR regulation will not have a substantial impact on global deforestation control. Instead, it will disrupt normal international trade, potentially leading to economic and social problems such as tanneries closing and job losses in the EU, while also causing adverse environmental impacts.   Therefore, the global industry collectively appealed to the European Commission: Based on scientific conclusions, confirm that HS41 products are not a source of deforestation and remove them entirely from the applicable list in Annex 1 of the Act; In subsequent assessments and legislative processes, prevent the inclusion of sheepskin, goatskin, and related products in the new control list.

When people think of fur, the common perception is that it's all about warmth in the cold winter, as if heaviness and warmth are its only labels, suitable only for late autumn and the dead of winter. But those who truly understand quality and style know that fur is not a seasonal exclusive, but a timeless fashion statement with its own luxurious feel. It shouldn't be bound by the cold, nor should it be confined to the winter wardrobe.   Breaking stereotypes: Fur is not synonymous with bulkiness and heaviness.   Many people are reluctant to try fur in spring and summer, their biggest concern being that it will be stuffy, bulky, and not breathable.   Modern fur processing has long since broken through traditional limitations. Through light tanning, thinning techniques, and optimized de-furning, it retains the delicate texture of natural fur and the soft, fluffy underfur while significantly reducing the thickness of the leather, resulting in a comprehensive upgrade in breathability.   It feels light and close-fitting against the skin, without any heavy drape, preventing sweating and stickiness; its natural soft texture and warm touch are a luxurious quality that synthetic fabrics cannot replicate or replace.   Suitable for all seasons, gentle texture is always on point.   Spring: A must-have for atmospheric outfits. With the slight temperature difference between day and night in spring, short fur vests, delicate fur collars, and small fur accessories are just right. Paired with knitwear, shirts, and floral maxi skirts, the soft fur neutralizes the cool spring vibe, understated yet effortlessly achieving a relaxed and sophisticated look, elevating the overall style.   Summer: Exquisite accents in small areas. In the height of summer, you don't need large fur garments. Fur headbands, plush bags, ornaments, and thin fringed edges as accents can add layers and a relaxed, luxurious feel to simple summer outfits. The natural feel of fur is warm and smooth, adding a touch of gentleness to the hot summer days.   Autumn/Winter: Classic mainstays with enduring appeal. Autumn and winter are the seasons for fur. Long fur coats, full-grain fur garments, and patchwork jackets combine warmth and style. Natural fur is lightweight, breathable, and warm, combining practicality with a sophisticated style, making it an indispensable classic item in any autumn/winter wardrobe. Upholding its natural essence, it exudes a timeless sense of luxury.   Artificial fabrics can mimic the appearance of fur, but they can never replicate the unique vitality of natural fur.   Each piece of natural fur has a unique texture, a naturally translucent sheen, and a warm, delicate touch. After meticulous processing, it is resistant to shedding and deformation, durable and aesthetically pleasing, making it a piece that can be worn for a long time and treasured for generations.   It's not a fleeting trend, but a classic item that transcends seasons and fashion cycles, simple, versatile, and develops its charm with each wear.   More than just clothing, fur is integrated into everyday aesthetics.   The value of fur extends far beyond clothing, deeply integrating into home décor.   Wool felt handicrafts, fur cushions, plush ornaments, and desktop decorative items use their natural, soft texture to decorate spaces and soothe emotions. In our fast-paced lives, a touch of soft, warm fur has a healing quality and adds a gentle sense of ritual to our daily lives.  

Following a global call from the leather industry and the efforts of various parties, the European Commission's latest draft authorization bill has made a significant adjustment, removing raw hides and leather from the list of applicable items under the EU Zero Forest Deforestation Act (EUDR, Regulation No. (EU) 2023/1115).   The draft removes the entries related to raw hides and leather under tariff codes 4101, 4104, and 4107 from the annex to the bill, meaning that raw hides, semi-finished leather, and finished leather are no longer within the scope of EUDR regulation. The remaining leather categories under Chapter 41 were not originally on the controlled list; this adjustment further clarifies the industry's applicable boundaries.   Previously, the EUDR proposed including raw hides and leather under its regulation. The China Leather Industry Association immediately sent a letter to the Chinese Mission to the EU, clarifying its position based on the industry's nature and trade realities: Leather raw materials are by-products of animal husbandry, not a cause of deforestation, and possess resource recycling and low-carbon environmental attributes; the rule requiring full-chain traceability of the geographical coordinates of livestock farms lacks feasibility, would significantly increase compliance costs for Chinese exporters, easily create hidden trade barriers, and could trigger a chain reaction of subsequent expansion of the EU's regulatory scope for leather products.   The Chinese Mission to the EU attached great importance to the industry's demands and actively conveyed China's views to the European Commission; at the same time, the China Leather Industry Association continuously collaborated with international leather industry organizations to jointly express the industry's reasonable demands. Ultimately, the European Commission adopted the relevant suggestions and completed this category removal adjustment.   According to the legislative process, the draft still needs to complete the statutory procedures: public consultation will begin in May 2026, with the final draft expected to be released in the summer; after the bill is published, the European Parliament and the Council will also enter a two-month objection review period.   The China Leather Industry Association will continue to monitor the progress of the EUDR process, strengthen collaboration with international industry organizations, actively participate in the public consultation process, consolidate the results of this negotiation, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of domestic leather enterprises, and ensure the stable and healthy development of bilateral leather trade between China and the EU.

1. Policy Overview   Effective May 1, 2026, China officially implements 100% tariff exemption on all products imported from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. This landmark policy makes China the world’s first major economy to offer unilateral, unconditional, full-coverage zero tariffs to all African diplomatic partners and all least-developed countries (LDCs) with diplomatic relations.   Coverage Breakdown: 33 African LDCs: Zero tariffs effective December 1, 2024 (permanent) 20 Non-LDC African Nations: Zero tariffs May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2028 (preferential rate, quota-free for most goods; tariff-rate quota products duty-free only within quotas) List: Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo (Brazzaville), Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabwe   2. Core Advantages for African Exporters ✅ 100% Product Coverage: Almost all goods (agricultural, manufactured, raw materials) qualify. ✅ No Political Strings: No mandatory reciprocity or political conditions. ✅ Simplified Customs: Electronic Certificate of Origin (COO) accepted; direct shipping required (no third-country entry/consumption). ✅ Lower Costs, Higher Competitiveness: Kenyan avocados, South African wine, Ivorian cocoa, Tanzanian cashews, and Egyptian citrus gain 0% tariff access to China’s 1.4-billion consumer market.   3. How to Claim Zero Tariffs (Imports to China) Valid COO: Issued by authorized African authorities (electronic/paper). Direct Shipment: Goods shipped directly from Africa to China; transshipment requires proof of no third-country trade/consumption. Customs Declaration: Declare “Preferential Tariff – Code 30” and submit COO. Note: Tariff = 0; VAT/excise taxes apply per regulations.   4. Strategic Significance For Africa: Boosts export revenues, creates jobs, and accelerates industrialization by unlocking China’s market For China: Expands supply of premium African goods (food, beverages, crafts) for consumers; strengthens South-South cooperation. For Global Trade: Counteracts protectionism, champions inclusive globalization, and advances the China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.   5. Official Endorsements H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AUC Chair: “A timely, brotherly gesture to support Africa’s economic recovery.” Chinese Ministry of Commerce: “A milestone in China-Africa trade, driving $100B+ annual bilateral trade and shared growth.”   Ready to Export to China? Leverage this historic zero-tariff opportunity to expand your business in the world’s largest consumer market. For customs clearance guidance, COO application support, or product-specific tariff checks, contact our trade advisory team today.

To learn from advanced manufacturing management, process design, and market operation experiences, address pain points in industry development, and promote the transformation and upgrading of Guangdong's luggage industry towards high-end, branded, and intelligent development, a high-quality development exchange activity for the luggage industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was recently held in Shenzhen. The activity, themed "Intelligent Manufacturing Improvement, Design Empowerment, and Channel Win-Win," was jointly organized by the Shenzhen Leather Industry Association, the Guangdong Leather Goods and Luggage Circulation Association, the Guangdong Leather Association, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Footwear and Bags Industry Alliance.   Industry Representatives Gather for On-Site Visits and In-Depth Exchanges   On April 24th, the event invited nearly 40 core leaders from over 20 representative companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including luggage and leather goods retail brands, e-commerce brands, cross-border e-commerce companies, and high-quality foreign trade suppliers.   The event adopted a format of site visits + experience sharing + thematic seminars, visiting Huixiong Leather Products (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Belle Fashion Group Lirong Shoes (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Participants visited Asia's largest bag R&D center, intelligent production workshop, quality control center, new materials and processes area, original design showroom, and brand operation center, gaining firsthand experience in digital transformation, lean production, original design, AI applications, and channel expansion.   On-site discussions focused on topics such as improving production efficiency, standardized quality control, and cost reduction, with in-depth exchanges on three core industry pain points: How can small and medium-sized bag enterprises implement digital transformation at low cost to solidify their quality foundation? How can Guangdong bag enterprises build their own brands and break free from homogeneous competition? How can the industry expand domestic and international sales channels and achieve market growth breakthroughs under the new circumstances?   Industry Association Perspectives: Deepening Differentiation and Collaborative Transformation and Upgrading   Li Ruilong, President of the Guangdong Leather Goods and Luggage Circulation Association, pointed out that local leather goods companies should leverage the Greater Bay Area's well-developed supply chain advantages to deeply cultivate niche markets and pursue a differentiated strategy; closely align with the demands of consumption upgrading, strengthen process upgrades, product innovation, and green R&D; adhere to quality as the foundation and originality as the core, accelerate the digital and intelligent transformation of production, and simultaneously deploy online content operation and brand communication to comprehensively enhance core competitiveness and contribute to the long-term high-quality development of the industry.   Guo Zhongjie, President of the Guangdong Leather Association and President of the Shenzhen Leather Industry Association, stated that this event is the first major joint event of provincial associations in 2026. The association will release industry development initiatives in due course, regulate industry order, advocate for collaborative development, open sharing, and cross-industry learning among enterprises; orderly promote the digital transformation of the industry, address development shortcomings, and improve flexible supply chains; enterprises need to increase R&D investment, leverage Guangdong's industrial agglomeration advantages, and expand into both domestic and international markets.   He specifically mentioned that although some production processes have relocated, the core R&D remains in Guangdong. The mature and complete industrial chain advantages are difficult to replace in the short term, providing a solid foundation for the industry's development. The association will regularly build a platform for exchange and cooperation, unite industry forces, support emerging forces, and encourage bold innovation and breakthroughs.     Enterprise Representatives Offer Suggestions Focusing on Intelligent Manufacturing, Originality, and Industry Self-Regulation   Liu Shengxian, representative of Huixiong Leather Goods, suggested that the association should take the lead in promoting the construction of industry digital standards and unite leading enterprises to resist low-price homogenization and infighting. Enterprises should adhere to innovation-driven development, strengthen original design and technological R&D, uphold quality standards, and pursue a high-quality development path. They should deepen industrial chain collaboration, implement new technologies such as AI intelligent pattern making and intelligent manufacturing, and empower industrial upgrading through digitalization.   Sun Lin, representative of Guangzhou Gete Software, gave a special presentation entitled "Upstream and Downstream Collaboration and AI Digital Upgrading," showcasing a one-stop digital implementation solution for the luggage industry from the dimensions of AI transformation, industrial chain collaboration, and practical cases, which received widespread recognition from the participants.   Demonstrating the Strength of Benchmark Enterprises and Building a Model for Industrial Development   Belle Fashion Group has established seven modern production bases, covering the Pearl River Delta, Central China, East China, and Southwest China, with a total area exceeding 1,000 acres, employing over 20,000 people, and operating 7,000 directly-owned stores nationwide. Its online channels are also rapidly growing.   The Shenzhen Lirong plant is a national high-tech enterprise and a provincial/municipal green factory, responsible for the R&D, testing, and core manufacturing of high-end footwear and bags. The seven bases complement each other, forming a large-scale, intelligent, full-chain production system, producing over 22 million pairs of finished shoes annually, with an annual manufacturing output value of approximately 12-14 billion yuan. Its lean manufacturing and full-chain layout solidify its leading position in the industry.   Huixiong Leather Goods belongs to the Hong Kong Da Hui Group, founded in 1957, with 69 years of experience in the industry. It entered Shenzhen in 1982, with Longgang District, Shenzhen, serving as the group's core R&D center and a major bag R&D center in Asia.   The group has production bases in Huizhou, Dongguan, Bangladesh, and Cambodia, employing over 10,000 people. It has long provided R&D, design, and OEM services to international and luxury brands. Its overseas bases have extensively introduced intelligent digital equipment and are simultaneously promoting the construction of green and low-carbon facilities such as photovoltaics and water recycling, practicing sustainable development concepts. It has become a leading leather goods OEM enterprise in Asia.   Industry Outlook: 2026 a pivotal year for brand rise   This event is another important initiative by the association to promote brand building in the industry, following its connection with the Paris headquarters of the French LVMH Group. Industry insiders generally believe that 2026 will be a crucial year for the comprehensive awakening of brand awareness in the domestic leather industry chain.   The ultimate goal of a company's long-term development is brand. Finding a differentiated positioning in a niche market is an effective path to break through the low-price competition and achieve healthy profitability. The current new generation of industry players is actively entering the market and engaging in pragmatic innovation, injecting new vitality into the Greater Bay Area's luggage industry and laying a solid foundation for the industry's high-end, branded, and intelligent development.

In recent years, sustainable fashion and environmentally friendly consumption have become mainstream globally. Many people mistakenly believe that leather production is environmentally unfriendly, but natural leather is actually a typical material for the circular economy.   Beef cattle farming is a core part of the meat supply chain, and cowhide is a natural byproduct of the livestock industry. Without proper recycling through tanning processes, large quantities of raw hides would be discarded and rot, resulting in biological waste and resource waste. Modern compliant tanneries have long achieved low-pollution, low-emission production, significantly reducing chemical hazards.   Compared to plastics and synthetic leathers, compliant genuine leather is naturally biodegradable and won't leave residues for centuries like artificial leather, which is difficult to decompose.   Choosing genuine leather goods essentially means reducing the disposable consumption of fast fashion items, extending the lifespan of individual pieces, and practicing a low-waste lifestyle.   Durable, recyclable, and naturally biodegradable, compliant genuine leather has long shed its old, polluting image and become an important part of global eco-friendly fashion.

Full-grain leather is recognized in the leather goods industry as the highest grade of natural cowhide.   It retains the original surface layer of the cow, without heavy sanding, buffing, or coating. It naturally possesses its own grain, pores, and fine growth lines, giving each piece a unique natural texture.   The dense and compact fiber structure makes it breathable, comfortable, tensile-resistant, and extremely durable. It is resistant to cracking, peeling, and deformation even with repeated bending and friction.   Its greatest feature lies in its natural aging effect: with long-term use against the skin and exposure to air and body temperature, the surface slowly develops a warm, vintage patina. The more it is used, the softer it becomes, and the more aged and sophisticated it appears, possessing an inherent beauty of time.   Currently, high-end leather belts, luxury bags, long wallets, and other fine leather goods mostly prioritize the use of full-grain leather. Natural and environmentally friendly, durable, and with a classic, timeless style, it is ideal for consumers who value quality and seek durable, long-lasting items.  

Leather Naturally has set an ambitious tone for World Leather Day 2026, transforming this global event into a dynamic, high-energy advocacy campaign aimed at uniting and inspiring the leather industry. This year's campaign places a strong emphasis on engagement and accessibility, designed to go beyond mere awareness building and encourage meaningful action.   The core theme of the campaign is "Make It Leather"—a clear call to action encouraging people to intentionally choose leather when durability, quality, and longevity are valued. Celebrated on April 29, World Leather Day brings together the entire value chain—from farmers and tanners to designers and consumers—highlighting the role leather plays in building a more responsible, less disposable economy.   The 2026 theme reflects a shift in mindset, responding to growing economic and environmental concerns. By emphasizing leather's repairability, natural sourcing, and the fact that it becomes more appealing over time, the campaign positions it as a practical and sustainable choice, contrasting sharply with fast fashion.   To support this campaign, Leather Naturally... The organization launched a dedicated digital hub, providing facts, inspiration, and debunking misconceptions, while simultaneously coordinating a global push across social media, public relations, and influencer platforms. With an "always-on" strategy, the event will build momentum throughout the year.   The event aims to engage the entire ecosystem—including businesses, designers, students, and artisans—and provides toolkits and creative materials to encourage broad participation and a unified message.   Ultimately, World Leather Day 2026 is not just about visibility, but about impact. It aims to foster pride within the industry, inspire future talent, and solidify leather's position as a material that blends tradition, innovation, and enduring relevance.

As a core leather goods industry cluster in China, Guangzhou is accelerating the transformation and upgrading of its professional markets, breaking away from traditional wholesale models and moving towards a new stage of industrial empowerment, brand incubation, and global trade.   Based on a complete industrial chain, Guangzhou's leather goods industry highly values ​​original design and intellectual property protection. Zhonggang Leather City, a national-level standardized intellectual property market, has successfully incubated hundreds of local original leather goods brands, forming a mature industrial ecosystem of design sharing, complementary production capacity, and interconnected channels.   By connecting the entire process from design and R&D, precision production, brand operation, and global order matching, and combining international activities such as international sourcing festivals and fashion resource linkages, Guangzhou leather goods companies have continuously improved their foreign trade competitiveness and achieved steady growth in foreign trade performance.   With the support of city policies, the local leather goods industry continues to broaden its overseas expansion channels, combining online cross-border connections with offline exhibition receptions, and providing one-stop foreign trade support services such as customs declaration, logistics, and foreign exchange settlement, efficiently connecting with global buyers.   Today, Guangzhou's leather goods industry is advancing towards high-end, branded, and international markets, building a complete industrial cluster from raw materials to finished products, from original customization to global delivery. This provides overseas clients with high-quality, original, and customizable leather goods products and a stable supply chain.   Our company is rooted in Guangzhou's leather goods industrial belt, leveraging our mature supply chain, strict quality control, and original design advantages. We focus on export customization and bulk supply of genuine leather belts, bags, and leather accessories, and are dedicated to serving our global sourcing partners.

Recently, the International Leather Council, together with global industry organizations in the meat, raw hide, and leather sectors, submitted a joint letter to the European Commission, focusing on the impact of the EU Zero Forest Deforestation Act (EUDR) on international trade in cowhide and leather. The CLEIA has actively responded to this industry-wide joint action.   The core demands of this joint letter are: to remove all cowhide, raw hide, and leather products under the Customs HS41 category from the Annex 1 control list of the EU Zero Forest Deforestation Act; and to request that the EU not add any new sheepskin, goatskin, and related leather products to the list.   The global leather industry unanimously argues that there is currently no scientific evidence to prove a direct link between raw hide and leather production and deforestation. Forcibly including leather products in the control list will not achieve the goal of preventing deforestation and will instead create unreasonable technical barriers to trade.   The European leather industry is highly dependent on imported raw materials, and the Act's stringent geographical requirements and full-chain traceability requirements are difficult for most global suppliers to implement. High compliance costs will drive up tanning production costs in the EU, weaken industry competitiveness, and even lead to factory closures and job losses.   Furthermore, excessive regulation will force a large amount of high-quality raw hides to be discarded or inefficiently processed, exacerbating carbon emissions and forcing the market to use highly polluting petrochemical synthetic materials, completely contradicting the EU's original intention of a circular economy and green development.   The global leather goods industry is calling on the EU to reassess the policy's impact objectively, remove unreasonable restrictions on leather raw materials, and ensure the stable, compliant, and sustainable trade development of the global leather supply chain.

On April 17th, the General Administration of Customs released the latest export data for China's leather industry in January-February 2026. The data shows that since the beginning of the year, China's leather exports have rebounded strongly, with continuous structural optimization, achieving a good start of "both volume and price increases, and profit upgrades." This fully demonstrates the strong resilience and high-quality development momentum of China's leather industry, with compliant, high-value-added products becoming the core engine driving export growth.   As a core export category, leather apparel performed particularly well. Data shows that in January-February 2026, China exported 843,000 pieces of leather apparel, a year-on-year increase of 53.3%; the export value reached US$28.317 million, a surge of 100.0% year-on-year, achieving more than double the export value; the export unit price increased to US$33.6 per piece, a year-on-year increase of 30.4%. This data clearly reflects the effectiveness of China's leather apparel industry's transformation from "low-end volume" to "high-end quality improvement," with a significant increase in product added value and market competitiveness.   From an industry-wide perspective, in January and February 2026, China's leather industry (including bags, shoes, belts, gloves, and other categories) achieved total exports of US$14.7 billion, a year-on-year increase of 11.9%; the trade surplus reached US$12.18 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13.7%, indicating continued improvement in export profitability and a positive overall development trend.   In terms of export market layout, a distinct pattern emerged: "high-end markets leading the way, and emerging markets gaining momentum." Specifically, exports to the EU increased by 19.9% ​​year-on-year, and exports to ASEAN increased by 20.3% year-on-year, with ASEAN officially becoming China's largest trading partner for leather products. Exports to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 20% year-on-year, demonstrating the continued release of potential in emerging markets and becoming a new driving force for export growth. Affected by tariffs and global supply chain adjustments, exports to the US market declined by 16.9% year-on-year, indicating a clear market differentiation.   It is worth noting that this export data also confirms the core development trend of the industry: Currently, the market share of low-end, high-volume products continues to shrink, while high-priced, high-value-added products have become the main export drivers; compliance premiums are becoming increasingly prominent, with suppliers possessing new national standards, OEKO-TEX® certification, and EUDR deforestation traceability qualifications seeing a significant increase in order share, and compliance has become a core competitive advantage for enterprises to seize international markets. In the future, with the continuous upgrading of China's leather industry and the ongoing improvement of its compliance system, export growth momentum is expected to continue, driving higher-quality development of Chinese leather products in the global market.

From April 8th to 16th, 2026, the global leather industry reached a crucial juncture in the commercialization of bio-based materials. International luxury brands and domestic enterprises worked together to propel bio-based leather from the laboratory research stage to large-scale production. This not only leads the industry towards a low-carbon and sustainable transformation but also serves as an important indicator of high-quality development in the global leather industry.   Internationally, Hermès and Kering jointly held a global online launch event, officially announcing the large-scale production of mycelium leather. This milestone breakthrough signifies that bio-based leather has moved beyond a niche concept and officially entered the mainstream supply chain of luxury brands. Mycelium leather uses natural fungal mycelium as its core raw material, growing naturally through controlled laboratory cultivation technology. The entire process eliminates the need for farming and slaughtering, reducing the environmental burden of traditional leather production from the source. Its production process reduces carbon emissions by approximately 85% compared to traditional cowhide leather, with no wastewater or exhaust emissions, and avoids the use of harmful chemicals such as chromium and formaldehyde, perfectly aligning with the global trend of green consumption upgrading. Simultaneously, the material's texture, toughness, and breathability are fully comparable to top-grade calfskin, requiring no additional processing modifications and can be directly used in the production of high-end bags, belts, shoes, and other luxury goods. Currently, both brands have established dedicated production bases in Europe with an annual capacity of 1 million square meters, fully meeting the bulk demand of their high-end product lines. It is projected that by the end of 2026, 30% of their accessory lines will fully utilize this type of bio-based material, further driving the green transformation of the global luxury leather goods market.   Domestically, industry leaders such as Shenzhen Pufei Biotechnology and Zhejiang Jiake New Materials are simultaneously focusing on the resource utilization of agricultural waste such as coffee grounds, banana peels, and corn stalks, forging a unique path of localized innovation for bio-based leather. These companies, through core processes such as bio-fermentation and modification, have transformed previously difficult-to-process agricultural waste into high-performance bio-based leather raw materials, achieving a raw material utilization rate of up to 95%. This effectively solves the environmental challenges of agricultural waste treatment and significantly reduces reliance on natural leather and petroleum-based synthetic leather. Some of these companies have successfully obtained the highest level (four-star) OK BIOBASED bio-based material certification from the European Union. Thanks to their excellent environmental performance and product quality, they have successfully entered the supply chains of top global luxury brands such as Balenciaga and Boucheron, and have also expanded into multiple application areas such as furniture and 3C electronic casings, achieving high-value-added breakthroughs. Currently, the annual production capacity of bio-based leather in China has reached 10 million meters, forming a complete industrial chain from raw material research and development, production and processing to market application, achieving industrialization and large-scale development, and laying a solid foundation for Chinese leather goods companies to participate in global green competition.   The large-scale production and widespread application of bio-based leather not only marks a significant step forward for the global leather industry towards low-carbon and sustainable development, but also brings new development opportunities to domestic and foreign leather goods companies, propelling the industry into a new stage of green innovation.

       Brussels & Jiaxing, April 15, 2026 — As spring unfolds and regulations guide the way forward, April 2026 marks a crucial juncture for the EU leather industry’s compliance transformation. The controversy over the inclusion of leather in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) continues to intensify, with global industry players joining forces to promote regulatory optimization. Meanwhile, the new OEKO-TEX®2026 standard was officially launched and will take effect on June 1, raising the bar for hazardous substance control and process certification. The simultaneous advancement of these two major regulations not only reshapes the global leather supply chain but also brings compliance challenges and development opportunities to Chinese leather goods foreign trade enterprises, becoming a core topic throughout 2026’s foreign trade operations.           As a core consumer market and standard-setting leader for global leather products, the EU has always adhered to the orientation of green sustainability and continuously improved the regulatory system for the leather industry. The two major regulations focused on in April this year, focusing on "raw material traceability" and "product compliance", aim at the industry’s low-carbon transformation and safety control. Every adjustment is directly related to the export layout of leather, leather goods, accessories and other foreign trade categories, profoundly affecting the core competitiveness of Chinese leather goods enterprises in accessing the EU market.   EUDR Leather Inclusion Controversy Ferments, Global Industry Jointly Advocates, New Regulation Adjustment Shows Dawn            Since the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) included leather products under HS Code Chapter 41 (raw hides, tanned leather, etc.) in its control list, controversies within the industry have never ceased. From April 8 to 15, 2026, this compliance game reached a crucial turning point — led by the International Council of Tanners (ICIS), together with meat, raw hide and leather industry associations from 27 countries, a joint letter was submitted to the European Commission. Based on scientific data, it formally called for the complete removal of all cattle leather products under HS Chapter 41 from the EUDR Annex I control list, and at the same time prohibited the inclusion of sheepskin and goatskin in the control scope in the future. On April 14, the China Leather Industry Association (CLIA) officially responded to this joint letter, working with global counterparts to strive for a more reasonable compliance environment for the leather industry.          Behind this joint industry voice is an in-depth consideration of compliance logic and industrial reality. The joint letter clearly put forward three core demands: First, as a by-product of cattle breeding, raw hides account for only 1.4% of the economic value of cattle. At present, there is no scientific evidence showing a direct causal relationship between the leather industry and deforestation. Including it in EUDR control essentially confuses the industrial driving logic — the real driver of deforestation is beef consumption and pasture expansion, not leather production. Second, the strict full-chain traceability requirements of EUDR will increase the compliance costs of small and medium-sized tanneries by 15% to 30%. The excessively high threshold may force a large number of small and medium-sized leather enterprises around the world to withdraw from the EU market, undermining the stability of the global leather supply chain. Third, there is an obvious contradiction in the control logic. If beef from the same cattle can legally enter the EU market, but its by-product leather is judged as a "potential deforestation-related product", it will cause a separation between law enforcement and the market, which is not conducive to the standardized development of the industry.           It is worth noting that the European Commission has responded positively to the industry’s demands, clearly stating that it is fully evaluating the rationality of the EUDR provisions, considering simplifying the bill content and adjusting the scope of Annex I control — leather products are very likely to be excluded from the control list. At the same time, it plans to further postpone some implementation deadlines to provide sufficient compliance buffer period for small and medium-sized leather enterprises around the world. It is reported that the European Commission plans to issue the "EUDR Implementing Act" at the end of April, which will officially determine whether leather products are controlled. This result will directly determine the compliance costs and access thresholds for Chinese leather goods enterprises to export to the EU in the future.           For Chinese leather goods foreign trade practitioners, this controversy brings not only uncertainty but also clear action 字guidelines. At present, EU buyers have taken the lead in tightening compliance audits, successively requiring suppliers to provide leather origin certificates, deforestation-free declarations, LWG environmental certification and pasture traceability documents. Some customers even require EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) materials in advance. In this context, enterprises need to layout in advance and make dual preparations: on the one hand, in accordance with the scenario where leather is still under EUDR control, improve the full-chain traceability data, and give priority to cooperating with leather suppliers with clear traceability and LWG and other environmental certifications; on the other hand, pay close attention to the official announcement of the European Commission at the end of April, timely adjust the supply chain layout and quotation strategy, and calmly respond to market changes brought by the new regulation adjustment.   OEKO-TEX®2026 New Standard Launched, Strict Control Begins, Compliance Upgrade Is Imperative                 Parallel to the EUDR controversy is the official launch of the new OEKO-TEX®2026 leather standard. Released on March 30, 2026, the standard will take full effect on June 1, with a 3-month transition period. Among them, a 1-year transition period (until June 1, 2027) is given for the control of bisphenol S limit value. This upgrade focuses on hazardous substance control and process certification with unprecedented intensity, further aligning with the EU REACH regulation, and becoming a "hard threshold" for Chinese leather products to export to the EU.           The core upgrade of the new standard is first reflected in the significant tightening of hazardous substance limits. Among them, the control of bisphenols has become a top priority — the limit values of bisphenol B, bisphenol F and bisphenol S have been reduced from 1000mg/kg to 200mg/kg, a decrease of 80%. The strict limit requirements force enterprises to optimize production processes and strictly control the content of hazardous substances in raw materials. At the same time, the standard adds mandatory control of various Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) such as pentabromobenzene, Reactive Brown 51, n-Hexylamine and Dechlorane Plus, further expanding the scope of hazardous substance detection; the control of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is also more refined, clarifying that total fluorine exceeding caused by non-PFAS can apply for exceptions, but sufficient scientific proof is required, balancing compliance and industrial reality.           In addition to hazardous substance control, the certification requirements for the supply chain and production processes have also undergone significant upgrades. The new standard clearly stipulates that all wet processes in leather production, such as dyeing, washing, printing and tanning, must complete OEKO-TEX® certification to eliminate compliance risks caused by uncertified processes. Among them, enterprises applying for certification for the first time can accept some uncertified wet processes, but during certificate renewal, uncertified wet processes will not be accepted at all, which will be fully implemented from June 2027. At the same time, the traceability system is further strengthened. During certificate renewal, only upstream certification certificates from direct suppliers are accepted, and relevant certificates from secondary suppliers are no longer recognized. This forces enterprises to improve supply chain control to ensure that every production link meets compliance standards.           For Chinese leather goods foreign trade enterprises, the entry into force of the new OEKO-TEX®2026 standard means that compliance upgrade is imperative. Starting from June 1, EU customers will no longer accept the old OEKO-TEX® LEATHER STANDARD certificate. If enterprises fail to complete certification renewal and product testing in a timely manner, they are likely to face risks such as order cancellation, goods return and market ban. At present, enterprises need to take immediate action: send samples for testing of newly added and adjusted controlled hazardous substances such as bisphenol B/F/S, pentabromobenzene and PFAS as soon as possible to ensure that products meet the limit requirements; urge cooperative factories to sort out all wet processes and complete OEKO-TEX® certification as soon as possible to avoid affecting certificate renewal; connect with testing institutions in advance to ensure that the new version of the certification certificate is obtained before June 1, laying a solid compliance foundation for exporting to the EU.           New regulations iterate, compliance is the key, and opportunities lie in changes. The adjustment of the two major EU leather industry regulations is not only a comprehensive reshuffle of the global leather supply chain but also an opportunity for Chinese leather goods enterprises to achieve high-quality overseas development. Only by keeping up with policy guidelines, improving the compliance system in advance, optimizing the supply chain layout, and balancing environmental protection and quality, can we seize the initiative in the compliance track of the EU market and achieve long-term development of brands and businesses. In the future, we will continue to pay attention to the latest developments of EU new regulations, provide timely and accurate compliance guidance for industry practitioners, and help Chinese leather goods foreign trade enterprises move forward steadily in the global market.

From April 8th to 13th, 2026, the application of AI technology in the leather industry saw a surge in implementation, particularly in Guangdong's shoe and leather goods factories, where significant results were observed. Through intelligent technology upgrades, key processes in traditional leather production, such as material inspection, design, and sampling, have seen efficiency doubled, effectively adapting to the industry's new demands for small-batch, multi-style, and fast-response orders, injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of the leather industry.   As a core pre-production step in leather manufacturing, the efficiency and accuracy of material inspection directly impact subsequent production progress and product quality. The AI ​​visual material inspection system deployed in several large shoe companies in Guangdong has completely replaced the traditional manual inspection mode. Through the combination of high-resolution industrial cameras and intelligent algorithms, it achieves rapid and accurate detection of leather defects. The system scans and inspects a single piece of leather in just 7 seconds, improving efficiency by over 300% compared to traditional manual inspection (3-5 minutes per piece). It can operate continuously for 24 hours, significantly shortening the raw material inspection cycle. Meanwhile, the system can accurately identify leather defects down to 0.2mm, covering more than 20 common problems such as scratches, color differences, insect bites, and uneven coatings, with an accuracy rate exceeding 99%, far surpassing the 80-85% accuracy rate of manual inspection. This effectively avoids product rework and material waste caused by missed inspections. According to feedback from enterprises, after implementing the system, leather utilization has increased by more than 8%, and a single company can reduce material waste by nearly 120,000 yuan annually. It also significantly reduces labor costs, achieving an intelligent and efficient upgrade in the material inspection process.   Concurrently, the shoe and leather AI design platform Vali has completed a comprehensive upgrade and officially launched, further optimizing the collaborative capabilities of the entire process of leather product design, prototyping, and production. Based on multimodal large-scale model development, the platform can generate physical-level design drafts within 10 seconds based on user-input product requirements (such as style, material, and texture). It supports real-time adjustments to details such as material, color, and texture, improving efficiency by more than 100 times compared to traditional manual design (3-5 days), greatly shortening the product design cycle. Currently, the platform has successfully connected with over 500 leather material suppliers and over 300 leather goods factories worldwide, forming a real-time collaborative network for "design-sampling-production." After the design draft is generated, it can be directly synchronized with material suppliers to confirm material compatibility, and simultaneously sent to partner factories to initiate the sampling process. This shortens the traditional 7-10 day sampling cycle to 1-2 days, significantly improving order response speed and perfectly meeting the current demand for small-batch, fast-response orders in the foreign trade market, helping companies quickly seize market opportunities.   The deep penetration and application of AI technology is gradually reshaping the traditional production model of the leather industry, driving the industry's transformation from "traditional manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing." This not only significantly improves production efficiency and reduces operating costs, but also provides strong support for leather goods companies to enhance their core competitiveness and respond to market changes.

On April 3rd, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China jointly issued an announcement officially approving the mandatory national standard GB 20400-2026 "Safety Technical Specification for Leather and Fur Products". This standard will completely replace the 2006 version, which has been in effect for nearly 20 years, and will be officially enforced from April 1st, 2027, without any grace period. It will comprehensively reshape the safety management system of China's leather industry and promote the industry's transformation towards standardization, high quality, and internationalization.   As the "basic law of safety" for the leather industry, the new national standard represents a comprehensive upgrade in terms of scope of control, indicator requirements, and regulatory intensity. It fully aligns with top international compliance standards such as EU REACH and OEKO-TEX®, ensuring that Chinese leather products are in line with international market standards. Specifically, the new national standard, for the first time, categorizes leather and fur products into three classes—A, B, and C—based on their usage scenarios, implementing tiered and stringent regulations: Class A, products for infants aged 36 months and under, faces the strictest controls; Class B, products that come into direct contact with human skin, includes underwear, belts, shoe linings, gloves, and the inner lining of bags; Class C, products that do not come into direct contact with skin, includes outerwear, furniture leather, decorative leather, and outer packaging.   Regarding the control of hazardous substances, the new standard retains the veto item of "decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes ≤30mg/kg" from the old standard, while adding several new hazardous substance control indicators, with significantly stricter limits. Among these, free formaldehyde has specific limits set for each product category, and hexavalent chromium, phthalates (6P), and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP) are officially included in the control, fully aligning with the EU REACH regulations and plugging product safety loopholes at the source.   Meanwhile, the new national standard sets higher requirements for production and the supply chain. It stipulates that complete and compliant records must be maintained for all processes in leather production, including wet tanning, dyeing, printing, and finishing, to ensure traceability of the production process. For raw hides and chemical auxiliaries, qualified testing reports must be provided to control product safety from the source. Furthermore, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the General Administration of Customs, and major e-commerce platforms will establish a joint sampling inspection mechanism to conduct comprehensive sampling inspections of leather and fur products. From April 1, 2027, products that fail the inspection will be immediately removed from shelves and recalled, and companies will be fined 3-5 times the value of the goods. In serious cases, their production and operation licenses will be revoked.   For Chinese leather goods export companies, completing the new national standard testing and upgrading production processes ahead of schedule is not only a necessary requirement to avoid the risks of domestic sales being taken off the shelves and exports being hindered, but also a key measure to seize high-end markets such as the EU and ASEAN and enhance order competitiveness. For global buyers, the new Chinese national standard certification is both a double endorsement of product safety and quality and a core access certificate to the Chinese market, which will further promote Chinese leather products to the global high-end market.

On March 14, 2026, the three-day APLF Asia Pacific Leather Exhibition successfully concluded in Hong Kong. As a leading enterprise in the leather industry, Lonfeng Gelome Fashion made a strong appearance with innovative materials and cutting-edge concepts. With nature, materials, and life as its core narrative, it comprehensively showcased the diverse applications of high-quality leather, gaining high recognition from global partners for its brand strength and forward-looking vision.   Innovative Craftsmanship Leads Trends, Defining Industry Pioneer Standards   During the exhibition, the Lonfeng Gelome Fashion booth became a focal point of industry attention. Its highly dynamic design concepts and comprehensive product matrix attracted professional buyers from the global apparel, footwear, bag, and high-end home furnishing sectors to stop and exchange ideas.   As an innovation driver in the upstream of the fashion industry, Lonfeng Gelome Fashion not only showcased its core materials but also actively shared its trend perspectives. Through in-depth dialogue with global industry professionals, it promoted pioneering craftsmanship as an industry consensus, further consolidating its position as a leading global leather solutions provider.   A Diverse Material Matrix Covering All Fashion Application Scenarios   At this exhibition, LONGFENG GELAME Fashion presented a rich material system encompassing fur, leather, cowhide, and cowhide-hair leather.   From classic basics to avant-garde innovations, from practical functionalities to creative designs, products are widely used in sophisticated ready-to-wear, fashionable footwear, high-end bags, and luxury home furnishings, fully demonstrating the powerful vitality of high-quality leather across categories and its integration into all aspects of life. Upholding Sustainable Development and Systematically Practicing Green Concepts   As a steadfast practitioner of sustainable development, LONGFENG GELAME Fashion systematically showcased its "LOOP" sustainable development concept at the exhibition, achieving a green layout across the entire chain from raw material procurement to finished product delivery, interpreting its pioneering leadership in the industry with responsibility and commitment.   Deepening Global Collaboration and Embarking on a New Journey of Development   The successful conclusion of APLF 2026 marks a new starting point for LONGFENG GELAME Fashion's development at a higher level. Relying on a comprehensive global supply chain system and end-to-end collaborative R&D capabilities, the company will continue to provide global partners with more competitive systematic solutions.   In the future, Longfeng Gelemei Fashion will continue to uphold its pioneering design, sustainable philosophy, and global vision, constantly innovating and breaking through to inject continuous development momentum into the global fashion industry.

As a millennium-old fur industry hub, Daying Town in Hebei Province is leveraging AI technology to drive industrial upgrading. In May 2025, the Fur Design Innovation Center was put into operation at the Daying Town e-commerce base. Using AI-assisted design tools, dozens of fur coat designs can be quickly generated by inputting keywords such as style and target audience, reducing the traditional three-month development cycle to within one month. The center has also connected with the China Copyright Protection Center, opening a green channel for copyright application, achieving "design as application, application as protection," thus strengthening the guarantee for original designs. In February 2026, Daying Town held a symposium on the development of the fur industry, inviting returning entrepreneurs to discuss transformation paths, continuously releasing signals of industry upgrading and transformation.   I. Supply and Demand Differentiation in the Industry Chain; Finished Product Prices Rise Against the Trend   The upstream raw material market exhibited a clear structural differentiation: mink pelts totaled approximately 4.87 million pieces, a year-on-year increase of 15.36%, marking the second consecutive year of recovery; fox pelts totaled approximately 2.16 million pieces, and raccoon pelts approximately 1.5 million pieces, year-on-year decreases of 46.70% and 39.72% respectively, remaining at low levels. Affected by weak demand, raccoon and mink pelt prices lacked support, while the rabbit pelt price index saw a slight decline; fox pelt prices remained relatively firm due to supply contraction.   Downstream consumption saw a key shift, with consumers moving from brand recognition to "selecting fur according to need," paying more attention to material grade, fit, and compliance documentation such as CITES. The market is upgrading towards transparency and service. Contrary to the raw material market trend, the fur coat price index rose 15.79% year-on-year in February, highlighting the profit restructuring brought about by design value-added, brand premium, and channel changes. II. Industry Transformation Opportunities: Three Types of People Seize the Initiative   AI-Powered Design Practitioners: Leveraging the AI ​​tools of the Fur Design Innovation Center, they rapidly generate and optimize patterns, significantly shortening the R&D cycle and seizing market opportunities through efficient development. Copyright and Service-Based Barriers: Utilizing a green channel for copyright protection to safeguard originality, they focus on material grading, pattern adaptation, and compliant documentation, building core competitiveness through standardized services and original advantages. Operators Deeply Rooted in Omnichannel E-commerce: Daying has established an omnichannel model of "e-commerce + live streaming + cross-border e-commerce." On the first day of the 34th International Fur Trade Fair, online transactions reached 12.9 million yuan. The region's annual e-commerce transaction volume exceeded 100 million yuan, and annual fur shipments exceeded 10 million pieces. Online channels have become the main engine of performance growth.   III. A Thousand-Year-Old Fur Capital Rejuvenated: Industry Grand Event About to Open   From the transmission of fur-making skills by Bi Gan, the legendary ancestor of fur craftsmanship three thousand years ago, to today's AI-powered design, Daying fur is undergoing a digital transformation. The 4th China Daying Fur Culture Festival will be held on May 6-7, 2026, bringing together more than 50 business associations to explore industry trends and provide a platform for exchange and cooperation for fur industry practitioners worldwide.