SIMAC TANNING TECH: The leading technological reference for the sector
The start of SIMAC TANNING TECH, held simultaneously with other fairs such as MICAM (footwear), LINEAPELLE (materials and components), MIPEL (leather goods), and MILANO FASHION AND JEWELS (clothing and accessories), added value and attendance to the event focused on technology for footwear, manufactured goods, and tanneries.
The 50th edition of SIMAC TANNING TECH took place from September 17 to 19, in pavilions 14 and 18 of the Fiera Milano Rho event center, under the organization of the National Association of Footwear, Leathergoods and Tanning Technologies' Manufacturers (ASSOMAC).
On this occasion, the latest innovations in machinery, equipment, and systems for the sector were presented, with a high degree of innovation and sustainability.
In this regard, Agostino Apolito, General Director of ASSOMAC, summarized: “The excellent result obtained in this edition demonstrates the importance of our fair as a meeting point for the global industry and the centrality of innovation in our sector.”
The fair brought together 316 exhibiting companies, occupying the 15,000 square meters available for the exhibition. Regarding attendance, a record participation of over 9,000 visitors was registered, with 44% of them being international professionals.
The event gathered the entire global chain, with 26% of the exhibitors coming from abroad. In addition, international delegations invited by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) reached pre-pandemic levels.
Maria Vittoria Brustia, President of ASSOMAC, stated: “SIMAC TANNING TECH is not just an exhibition but a global platform where the most advanced ideas and technologies take shape and become opportunities for growth and development for the entire supply chain.”
During the three-day event, visitors had the opportunity to access special areas such as networking meeting rooms, augmented reality experiences, as well as workshops and seminars.
The program included topics such as technological trends, innovation, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and sustainability. The 22nd UITIC International Congress in Shanghai (China), scheduled for September 2025, was also presented.
ASSOMAC has already announced the date for the 51st edition of the fair, which will take place from Tuesday, September 23 to Thursday, September 25, 2025.
According to Brustia, the sector remains optimistic for the upcoming year, based on companies' ability to adapt to global challenges and innovate. “Additional support for the internationalization of our companies is needed to ensure that our sector continues to represent excellence worldwide,” she added.
First, it is important to highlight advances in machines and processes that prioritize sustainability and circularity in products and production.
The immediate direction seems to be the deepening of manufacturing automation through the refinement of software and robotics, adding efficiency and quality. The use of cobots -collaborative robots that can physically interact with humans in complex operations, such as automatic stitching, to integrate processes- is becoming more widespread.
