Silvateam increases its package of eco-friendly technologies by acquiring the German company wet-green, while Ecotan® kicks off the collaboration with the Italian brand Sneark1991, which launches the first line of completely recyclable sneakers.

Breaking news in San Michele Mondovì (Italy). Silvateam, world leader in the production of vegetable tannins, has acquired the German wet-green GmbH, based in Reutlingen, inventor of the patented Olivenleder® technology. The union of the two companies represents a milestone in the path towards sustainability of the tanning industry worldwide. Olivenleder® has developed a unique solution in the world by producing a very high-quality extract from olive leaves. This sustainable tanning technology integrates perfectly with Silvateam’s Ecotan® biocircular system and gives rise to an unprecedented synergy.

Silvateam, celebrating its 170th anniversary this year, works in the leather, food ingredients, animal nutrition and biomass sectors. The Piedmont-based company is at the forefront of 100% metal-free Ecotan® tanning solutions, based on natural tannins and biopolymers, and the acquisition of Olivenleder® strengthens this vocation.

The synergy of the two technologies gives life to Ecotan® Advanced, a new era for natural tanning. The combination of chestnut tannins and olive tree extract offers tanneries an even wider and highly performing range of formulations, in harmony with the environment and respecting the health of workers and consumers.

We talked about it with Alessandra Taccon, Ecotan® Project Director, and Massimo Gotti, Silvateam’s Marketing Manager.

What’s new for the current year and how does the acquisition of Olivenleder® follow your attention to the environment?

“Ecotan® is going through an extraordinary year, full of great news. Not only for the countless ongoing activities, but also for the acquisition of Olivenleder® by Silvateam, which represents an important evolution in the leather tanning industry. With a keen attitude towards the environment, Silvateam becomes the home of green technologies that respect men and the planet. The acquisition of the German brand, which is very close to Ecotan® in terms of features, technology and values, strengthens our position in the marketplace. Ecotan® boasts a network of over 40 tanneries worldwide, and new tanneries are continuously joining the project. This operation will let us further expand our network and offer customers a wider range of innovative and sustainable solutions. We called it Ecotan® Advanced.”