Leather and Footwear in India
The Future of Leather and Footwear
Where India's leather and footwear industry could go - sustainability, non-leather growth and brands - and a recap of the module.
India’s footwear industry has big potential.
Opportunities
- China+1 shifts in global sourcing.
- Non-leather footwear investment.
- Domestic demand growth.
- Trade deals with rich markets.
- Brands and design.
Sustainability
- Cleaner tanning with less chromium.
- Traceable leather free from deforestation.
- Vegan and recycled materials.
Challenges
- Pollution controls.
- Hide supplies.
- Small firm scale.
Module recap
- India is the second-largest footwear producer.
- Clusters include Kanpur, Agra and Vellore.
- Tanneries polluted rivers, prompting court action.
- Cattle laws reduced hide supplies.
- Kolhapuri chappals have a GI tag.
- Non-leather footwear now dominates globally.
- BIS certification became mandatory in 2024.
- Leather work is linked to caste.
- Bata, Relaxo and Campus lead brands.
- China and Vietnam dominate exports.
- New incentives target jobs.
The green tannery
A tannery in Tamil Nadu switches to cleaner chemicals and zero liquid discharge, winning orders from European brands that demand sustainability.
Thinking leather is a sunset industry
It remains a major source of labour-intensive jobs.
Key takeaways
- China+1, non-leather growth and trade deals are opportunities.
- Sustainability is increasingly required.
- Pollution and scale are challenges.
- Footwear can create millions of jobs.
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