In a landmark move for the leather industry, Silvateam, a global leader in the production of natural tannins, is the new majority owner of wet-green GmbH, pioneer of the patented wet-green technology for Olivenleder, after acquiring the German company from MB Holding. This strategic alliance represents a significant evolution in the segment of sustainable tanning technologies.

Founded in 1854 in Mondovì, Silvateam has long been at the forefront of the global leather industry. As a family-owned enterprise, it has carved out a reputation as a leading manufacturer of tannins and natural ingredients. These products find widespread use in diverse sectors, including leather, animal nutrition, food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Key to the company’s ethos is its unwavering commitment to sustainability, which finds a strategic fit in the partnership with Olivenleder. The cooperation strengthens Silvateam’s ambition for international growth and best sustainable practices and sends a clear signal to the industry: the future lies in eco-conscious, plant-based solutions.

Eco-conscious change

Silvateam has been driving change in the leather industry with the launch of its groundbreaking Ecotan technology, introduced in 2020 into the marketplace. Using natural ingredients and human-made biopolymers for tanning, Ecotan has successfully steered the industry away from traditional metal-based methods towards more environmentally friendly, plant-based tanning systems.

The integration of Olivenleder into Silvateam’s portfolio significantly bolsters the company’s sustainable offerings, thus creating the broadest program of green solutions available to tanners and brands. Olivenleder is considered a pioneer among wet-green’s solutions, known for its wet-green OBE, a 100% bio-based, metal- and synthetic-free pre-tanning agent derived from olive leaf extract. This is the first technology allowing to produce vegetable-tanned nappa leather, extremely soft and rapid to produce.

Thanks to Silvateam’s core capabilities in the production of plant-based extracts and the related supply chain, Olivenleder tanning agent manufacture will be streamlined in the Italy-based plant for the required scaling up in the leather-making process.