Welcome to an exciting program of excellent technical presentations.
The sessions will begin with the Opening Address by the ALCA President, Joseph Hoefler, at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, May 22nd.  This will be followed by the 63rd John Arthur Wilson Memorial Lecture presented by Panos Mytaros of ECCO Group. There will be two full days of technical presentations concluding Thursday, May 23, at 5:00 pm. We will have an array of international presenters from around the world. Keep checking this section of our website for updates on the technical program.

Note:  Oral Presentations subject to change.

Wednesday May 22 – Day 1

Opening Address Joe Hoefler   8:45 to 9:00 am

63rd John Arthur Wilson Memorial Lecture – Panos Mytaros 9:00 – 10:00 am

.  Material Matters 

  
Break 10:00-10:30pm

Session 1

  
  • Roger Pinto, Pangea Made, Inc – Automotive Leather: Opportunities and Chanllenges to Sustainability 

10:30-11:00am
  • Dr. Wouter Hendriksen & Pim Walgenburg, Smit & Zoon – Understanding Leather Tanned by Modified Zeolite 

11:00-11:30am
  • Katie Kutskill, KD Consulting 
 11:30-12:00pm
  • Lunch
 12:00 – 1:00pm 
Session 2
 
  
  • Deborah Taylor, Sustainable Leather

1:00-2:00pm
  • Gary Raines, FDRA – State of the Industry 
 2:00- 2:30pm
  • Steve Sothmann, AgriTrade, LLP – Issues and developments affecting the Hide and Leather Industry  
 2:30-3:00pm
  • Break

3:00-3:15pm

Session 3 

  
  • LHCA Board Meeting – Open to All 

3:15-4:15pm

Thursday May 23 – Day 2

  
Session 4  
  • Dr. Benjamin Autenrieth, Trumpler – Insights into the Development of the Alternative Tanning System
 9:00-9:30am
  • Jacquelyn Smith, Pangea – Navigating Shifting Tides: Exploring the Dynamics of Genuine Leather and Synthetic Alternatives in Today’s Market
 9:30-10:00am
  • Dr. Ditrich Tegtmeyer, TFL – “Tannery Rendering” – generating value out of Leather co-products.
 10:00-10:30am
  • Pete LaBaron, PhD., CHT USA – Organic-Silicone Hybrid Polymers 

10:30-11:00am

Session 5

  
  • Myron Hooks, & Tim Roggow, Dow – Enhancing Leather Haptics through Sustainable Chemistry 

11:00-11:30am
  • Ricardo Pasqual, PhD., GSC Group – The future of leather production based on chemicals evaluation in conjunction with modern tools for higher performing processes and lower environmental impact. 

11:30-12:00pm
  • Activities Awards Luncheon
 12:00-1:00pm

Session 6

  
  • Valentina Beghetto, Crossing S.r.l – Innovative Modified Natural Tannins for Ecofriendly Leather 

1:00-1:30pm
  • Olga Ballus, Cromogenia – A Comparative Survey of the Behavior of Basifying Agents in Chrome-Tanning Processes

1:30-2:00pm
  • Greg Thoma, PhD., AgNext Colorado State 
 2:00-2:30pm
  • Break 
 2:30 -3:00pm
Session 7  
  • Camille Mori, Prime Asia – Partnering with chemical suppliers to achieve zero hazardous chemicals in leather products. 

3:00-3:30pm
  • Jan Sedlichik, PhD., Technical University in Zvolen – Collagen and Keratin Biopolymers – Modifications and Possibilities for their applications. 

3:30 -4:00pm
  • Roberta Gamarino, Stahl – Sustainability leads to progressive detoxing of leather chemicals. 
 4:00 -4:30