Piloting Digital Traceability A first step for Pakistan’s Leather Sector Pakistan’s leather sector, the country’s third-largest export industry, is entering a pivotal phase of transformation. As global markets increasingly demand deforestation-free, transparent, and ethically sourced supply chains, the absence of a structured traceability system poses a growing risk to competitiveness and market access. Pakistan’s leather
Traceability in the Pakistan Leather Supply Chain A technical brief and factsheet Leather is one of the major pillars of Pakistan’s economy, standing as the third-largest export sector and contributing approximately four per cent to the national GDP. While leather production utilises hides and skins (a byproduct of the meat industry), it is not immune
SMEP Projects: Spotlight on Pakistan The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is home to a population of more than 241 million people, the fifth most populous in the world with a nominal Global Domestic Product (GDP) of US$ 410.5 billion, ranking 42nd globally. The country also has a high reliance on export markets, with textiles alone
Traceability enables textile manufacturing and recycling companies to be more transparent and to visualise recycling practices for more accountability. SMEP grantee Reverse Resources, expands the circulation of post-industrial textile waste (PIW) in Bangladesh and Pakistan using the Reverse Resources platform, which integrates digital tools, standardised processes, and business models to align and connect stakeholders in
As commodity‑reliant economies face growing demand for environmental and labour accountability, SMEs are combining traditional practices with adapted traceability solutions that fit local realities, helping them meet global trade rules, strengthen market access and protect livelihoods. At a tannery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian and Indian project researchers are testing enzyme-based methods to replace harmful chemicals
From Traceability to Biotechnology Trade-led innovative solutions for sustainable leather Leather was one of the first materials used by humankind, alongside natural fibres. The leather industry involves some of the oldest examples of a circular economy, adding value to meat, primarily through by-products such as animal hides and skins from slaughterhouses, while solving a significant
Beyond Compliance Trade as a channel for the adoption of industrial wastewater treatment in the Global South Water emerges as a pivotal element within the context of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity. As a fundamental resource for all life forms, water plays a multifaceted role in our ecosystems, as a
The global leather industry—valued at over USD 400 billion—supports millions of livelihoods, especially in South Asia and Africa. Yet, despite its economic significance, the industry faces critical challenges regarding environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing, and global compliance with evolving regulations. As climate-conscious regulations tighten, particularly in Europe, the sector faces a critical juncture. Countries like Pakistan