8 October 2025
All China Leather Exhibition 2025: Resilience and Renewal Amid Global Challenges
The 2025 edition of the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) successfully concluded on September 5 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, occupying Halls E1–E7.
Exhibition Scale
Covering more than 80,000 square meters, this year’s fair brought together nearly 1,000 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions, including China, Australia, Brazil, France, Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Taiwan and Uzbekistan.
More than 32,000 buyers attended the three-day event, reaffirming ACLE’s position as a premier gathering for technological innovation and industry exchange.
Joachim L. Henkmann, Director Global Marketing & Demand Management Leather of Stahl International, reflected, “I have been attending ACLE since its very first edition. Over the years, the number of buyers has only grown, and the exhibition continues to deliver real progress with partners.”
Zhang Binglong, Purchasing Manager at Junteng Group, noted, “My main purpose this year was to source suitable leather. The fair allows me to see the latest materials firsthand, which is its greatest advantage.”
Exhibition Highlights
The theme of this year’s exhibition was Collaboration Sparks Innovation, Driving Mutual Growth. In addition to traditional raw hides, semi-finished and finished leathers, synthetics, and shoe and bag materials, the event showcased cutting-edge categories such as advanced fashion technologies, innovative functional materials, and sustainable low-carbon solutions. These offerings provided fresh opportunities for buyers across tanning, footwear, fashion accessories, automotive, and furniture sectors.
Jason, founder of the leather brand Frcnk, shared, “This is my second time at ACLE. I’m looking for premium and sustainable materials. Overall, I find the exhibition excellent, with many innovative products and simple designs. I also found a potential partner and will consider working with them after returning home.”
Beyond the exhibition floor, ACLE featured a comprehensive program of conferences and launches, including the Global Leather Industry Summit, the UITIC International Technical Footwear Congress, and a series of new product and technology showcases.
Yang Dongcan, Project Manager at CTC Shanghai, highlighted, “With stricter environmental regulations phasing out traditional substances like PFAS, ACLE serves as a vital platform for industry experts to access the latest legal and technical updates. This not only enhances their understanding but also helps them navigate the evolving landscape and chart new paths forward.”
Market Context
The global leather sector is facing mounting pressures, including geopolitical instability, sluggish economies, weak consumer confidence, rising compliance costs, labor and energy shortages, declining orders in footwear and apparel, and volatile raw hide prices. “The tariff war has had a significant impact. As most of our clients are U.S. companies, our business has dropped noticeably this year. We hope the trade war ends soon,” said Ego, Production Manager at Novel Leather.
To adapt, companies are accelerating their transformation toward sustainability, digitalisation, and efficiency. Bio-based tanning agents and chrome-free leathers are helping reduce environmental impact, while AI-driven design and smart cutting machines enhance productivity and mitigate labour shortages. Differentiation through high-end customisation and cultural branding is also gaining momentum, shifting the industry from scale-driven growth to value-driven development.
Exhibitor and Buyer Perspectives
Most exhibitors expressed optimism about both the event and the industry’s outlook. Letícia Luft, Brazilian Leather Project Manager, observed, “There are more visitors this year, and I believe China–Brazil leather trade will continue to grow.”
The automotive sector has become a new growth driver. Meng Shengyi, Sales Manager at Foshan Yvonink, noted, “Our company has shifted its focus to automotive seat leather, and sales have increased as a result.”
Due to heightened U.S.–China trade tensions, American exhibitors were absent, opening new opportunities for others. Dennis King of the Australian Hide, Skin & Leather Exporters Association (AHSLEA) commented, “The absence of the U.S. might actually give us more room to expand new customer relationships at ACLE.”
Buyers praised the fair for its efficiency. Zhang Wen, CMF Designer at Sky Dream RV Co., explained, “The biggest benefit of ACLE is being able to compare multiple suppliers in one place, saving significant time and communication costs.”
Exhibition Significance
Amid global economic headwinds and growing geopolitical uncertainty, ACLE 2025 successfully brought together raw materials, technologies, designs, and trends from around the world. The fair promoted cross-sector collaboration, accelerated the adoption of sustainable processes and intelligent equipment, and created a vital stage for companies to strengthen their brands and expand their markets.
By connecting directly with buyers, distributors, and consumers, exhibitors were able to secure new orders and optimize their distribution channels. Through forums and seminars, the fair also harnessed expert knowledge and provided strategic direction, establishing ACLE as a premier global dialogue platform for leaders, innovators, and stakeholders in the leather industry.
Though this year’s event has concluded, the innovation journey of China’s leather industry has only just begun. The next China International Leather Fair (ACLE) will take place from September 1 – 3, 2026, once again in Shanghai.
Exhibitors and Buyers Say
I believe the ACLE, held every September, is highly representative of the athletic footwear sector. By participating in this exhibition, we aim to engage with leading players in specialised segments to explore cutting-edge products and technologies—such as innovative patterns, release paper, and 3M reflective materials. This initiative will enhance the technological sophistication and add significant value to Xtep’s footwear offerings.
Qu Fa, Head of Materials R&D Department – Xtep Group
Tariffs have a direct impact on competitiveness. When tariffs are high, buyers tend to reduce their volumes and demand lower prices, affecting all stages of the supply chain. Compared to last year, buyers at this year’s exhibition are placing a greater emphasis on quality and exercising more caution in their selections. This shift works to our advantage; we can offer high-quality recommendations, which in turn can drive up prices—something that wasn’t possible before.
Manon Gauthier, General Director – Les Cuirs de l’Ouest (LCO) H&S Holding Group
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