History of Thai Tanning Industry
Tanning Industry has dipped its roots in Thailand for more than 60 years. A total of 138 tanneries, under the control of Thai Tanning Industry Association, located at Bangpoo, Samutprakarn, at Km. 30 and Km. 34 on Sukhumvit Road. In a nutshell, Thai Tanning Industry is the only industry in Thailand to be located in just a single industrial estate. They have joined hands in developing their own industry together with the environment in which they live.
Presently, there are approximately 138 tanneries in the country with a total manpower of more than 150,000. Among them, a number of 27 tanneries have gained promotional privileges from the Board of Investment (BOI). Five tanneries are wholly Thai-owned and 14 are joint venture with foreign companies. Only one tannery is wholly owned by foreigners.
Thai Tannery Industry has a combined annual production capacity of 15,000 tons of leather, or 15 millions sq.ft. per month.
About 90% of hides come from cows and buffaloes. Due to their availability, these types of hides are more preferable than those of sheep, snakes, pigs, crocodiles and horses.

Sources of Raw Materials
Hide: 97% of hides come from cows and buffaloes of which about 36% is from local slaughter hence and 61% imported from other countries. Such as South Korea, Taiwan, USA, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Brazil, Argentina, etc. However, the fashionable leather is imported from European countries, such as Italy and France.

Exports
The export volume and value have been rising since 1990. And more than 80% of export value comes from wet blue and cow and buffalo leather, of which Hong Kong is the top buyer. Other important import market of Thai leather includes the United States, Taiwan, Denmark, Australia and Germany.

Type of Products:

Shoes Upper
Handbag and Auxiliary leather Products
Upholstery
Automotive Upholstery
Vegetable Leather
Suede split
Dogchews

At present, Thai Tanning Industry Association has concerned in the following:

Environment Control and Industrial waste management is also our important duty. We operated two modern water treatment plants, which both of them occupy 21 acres of land for the benefit of all members. The total cost was more than USD 20 millions with a monthly electricity bill of more than USD 50,000. This is a huge sum that spreads between 138 tanners.

Setting up the Laboratory Center to research and develop the leather products and technology. This center will provide the information to the members and other interested parties.

Promoting the employers and employees to improve the new skills and new technology in Leather Business. This will affect to the better of quality and quantity to be competitive in the global markets and improve standard levels.