Transition to a Circular and Sustainable Leather Supply Chain: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis

The leather sector in Italy, one of the most prominent worldwide, is characterized by a long tradition of excellence, due to its quality in finishes, stylistic effects, manufacturing, and performance. However, nowadays, it faces numerous challenges related to sustainability and circularity. On the one hand, companies must maintain their competitiveness by adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing market demands for sustainability. On the other, the industry’s production processes have a significant environmental impact, especially in terms of chemical usage, water and energy consumption, and production of polluting waste. The increasing international focus on sustainable development has highlighted the urgency of transforming the supply chain by adopting cleaner and more circular practices. In this study, to identify the main opportunities and challenges associated with the transition towards more sustainable and circular models, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to Italian companies in the leather industry. The survey evaluated the aptitude of these companies regarding sustainability and circularity, collecting data on adopted practices, the implementation of new technologies, the degree of sustainability and circularity achieved, and the existing gaps in companies’ transition toward more sustainable models. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using the Qualitative Comparative Analysis. This approach enabled the identification of specific combinations of company characteristics and practices that either facilitate or hinder the sustainable transition of the sector.