Leather Sector of Pakistan is the second most dynamic sector after textiles. It contributes 5% of GDP and constitutes 7% of total export earnings of the country. This sector employs more than 250,000 workers and many are attached to it indirectly. Pakistan’s share in the $60 billion world leather market is only 1.5% and is placed at 20th in world ranking. Currently, this sector is struggling hard to enhance its export share but quality and production costs are the two main challenges faced by it.
Cost of energy contributes heavily to the production cost. Generally, the electrical energy consumption is about 0.97-1.08 MJ
Inefficient energy consumption, mainly due to leakages in the steam pipes, substandard and absence of insulation, malfunctioning of steam traps, corrosion of pipes, low quality motors, improper use of light bulbs, low power factor, constant speed drives for induction motors, etc., results in wastage of energy resources, high production cost and increase in the green house gass emissions. Under current practices, about 18-20% saving in energy bills is possible by working on small energy conservation options.
Keeping in view the current energy wastage and inefficient use in tanneries, Pakistan Tanner’s Association-Northern Zone (PTA-NZ) with the financial assistance of Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) initiated the Energy Conservation Project for Punjab Tanneries in August 2005. The free services of ECPT was provided for three years (August 2005 to July 2008).

1.Make tanneries, energy efficient in their operations.
2.Reduce air emissions in line with the deliberations of Kyoto Protocol.
3.Reduce the production cost.
4.Provide free of cost consultancy services to selected tanneries of Punjab.
5.Control environmental pollution and conserve natural resources.

1.Energy Audits.
2.Energy Action Plans.
3.Preventive Maintenance Plans.
4.Training & Human Resource Development.
5.Strengthening the Institutions & PTA-NZ.

1.Identification of energy losses/wastes.
2.Identification of potential improvement areas of energy conservation .
3.Energy Efficient Process Control .
4.Improved data collection and monitoring .
5.Addressing and resolving energy issues & PTA-NZ.
6.Reduction in production costs
7.Compliance with ISO 14001 requirements
8.Higher opportunity to compete in international market