Abstract

This paper examines the current development status of the global leather industry and its future trends under the guidance of a circular economy through data statistics and visualisation analysis. The research indicates that the traditional leather industry is declining due to environmental pressures and market contraction. Major producing countries (e.g. China, the U.S. and India) have experienced simultaneous drops in export volume and prices, accelerating the closure of small and medium-sized tanneries. Meanwhile, biotechnology and the circular economy are driving the rise of a new ‘post-animal economy’ paradigm: the market share of PU is projected to increase from 60% in 2020 to 69% in 2025, while PVC shows a consistent decline in market share. Although bio-based and microfibre leather currently account for only 8%-9% of the market, they are experiencing significant growth (>10% annual rate) in automotive interiors and luxury goods. In downstream industrial structures, footwear demand is declining, while automotive interiors have become the fastest-growing sector, surging from 12% to 17% in market share. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights for the future development of the leather industry.