A technology mission on leather has been launched by the Government of India. This is the first of the technology missions being implemented directly by a Science department and the CSIR. The Institute has been entrusted with the responsibility to co-ordinate a technology driven development through the Leather Technology Missio.

The Mission was inaugurated by Shri Bhuvanesh Chaturvedi, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Vice-President, CSIR on January 12, 1995 at the NPL Auditorium, New Delhi.

The total outlay of the Leather Technology Mission is Rs.22.00 crores; out of which Rs.10 crores have been sourced from the agencies. The total duration of the programme is four years.

Leather Technology Mission Objectives

• To augment the availability of quality hides and skins.
• To evolve a technology grid for a balanced development of the Indian leather sector.
• To provide extension services to rural and small-scale industries in the adoption of cleaner technology and upgradation techniques.
• To initiate a campaign for quality and standardization in the Indian leather sector.
• To enable harmonious blending of traditional and new skills through innovative training and HRD programmes.
• To evolve and implement technology delivery systems most suited for the Indian leather industry.
• To study and identify the most suitable organization structure(s) to integrate the development of rural, semi-urban and urban sectors in leather.
• To catalyze the revival and the growth rate of 25% p.a and the Indian share of 10% in the global leather trade.