About the Project

The leather industry is a vital manufacturing sector in Bangladesh, contributing significantly to export diversification, industrial growth, and employment generation. However, the sector faces critical structural challenges, including environmental pollution, inefficient resource utilization, and a lack of supply chain transparency.

 

Simultaneously, international buyers and regulators (such as the EUDR) are increasingly mandating verifiable traceability, environmental compliance, and responsible production practices across global supply chains.

 

The LeatherTrace Bangladesh: Traceable and Circular Leather Production (TCLP) in Bangladesh project responds to these emerging mandates by supporting the sector's transition toward transparent and evidence-based production. Funded by the Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme—a joint initiative of the UK FCDO and UNCTAD—the project works directly with local tanneries and manufacturers to pilot practical solutions.

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Through a consortium of academic and industry partners, the TCLP project is implementing:

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• Digital Traceability Systems: Establishing clear chain-of-custody and provenance data for leather materials.

• Environmental Footprint Tools: Measuring and tracking the environmental impact of production processes.

• Policy & Financing Frameworks: Developing policy blueprints and exploring green finance mechanisms to support sustainable sector growth.

• Capacity Building: Engaging stakeholders through workshops and training to drive circular-economy innovations.

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By improving data transparency, LeatherTrace Bangladesh aims to build a replicable model that secures global market access and promotes long-term sustainability for the Bangladeshi leather sector.