San Miniato is set to see a major development in the leather industry: Volfoni Tannery is launching a project that will triple its production and introduce cutting-edge solutions for environmental sustainability. The initiative involves the local plant, recently renovated and expanded to 7,000 square meters, and the construction of an innovative facility to process tannery by-products.
The project is the result of a collaboration between the Volpi family, the French Tanneries Haas (linked to the Chanel brand), and leather trader Campelli. The new biodigester will recover the organic fraction of tannery waste, converting it into biogas, electricity and hot water, with the support of Italprogetti, a Pisa-based company specializing in equipment for the leather sector.
Leonardo Volpi, Volfoni’s general manager, explained that the plant was completely new and had been designed to optimize the use of technology and reduce environmental impact. The goal is to valorize by-products and reduce pressure on wastewater treatment facilities, particularly during the wet blue stage, which is crucial for processing calf and lamb hides.
The project also plans a significant increase in production capacity: from 10.5 to 31 tons of wet blue leather per day, with the installation of ten new drums. Staff will grow from 20 to around 30 employees, while the projected revenue at full capacity is estimated between 10 and 15 million euros. The biodigester is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, marking an important step toward more sustainable and innovative tanning practices.
