Hides and Skins — Tradition Meets Innovation
Case Study 13
Sustainable production of high-quality leather products.
Hides and skins are a valuable by-product of livestock production.
Effective cooling important to ensure product quality.
Upgrade of cooling system eliminated fossil fuel use and reduced CO2 emissions.
Significantly improved energy efficiency.
Background
Hides and skins have long been recognised as valuable by-products of livestock farming. Their processing into high-quality leather remains a key element of a sustainable circular economy.
Thanks to Switzerland's stringent animal welfare standards and favourable climatic conditions, hides and skins from Swiss cattle and calves are particularly well suited for the production of premium leather goods, especially in Alpine regions. The temperate climate, minimal presence of vermin, and the rare use of barbed wire on pastures result in significantly less tissue scarring. This reduces waste during leather processing and provides a clear quality and economic advantage for tanneries.
Centravo plays a central role in this value chain. The company collects almost all hides and skins from Swiss slaughterhouses and transports them daily to its processing facility in Lyss. Each year, approximately 830,000 hides and skins (around 14,000 tonnes) are processed, preserved, and prepared for further processing in European tanneries or for export worldwide.
The Challenge
Fresh hides must be cooled under controlled conditions immediately after delivery to preserve the quality of the raw material. This cooling process is energy-intensive, particularly as the hides still have a temperature of over 25 °C upon arrival.
Centravo's objective was to significantly increase energy efficiency, completely replace fossil fuels, and substantially reduce CO2 emissions without compromising product quality.
Valuable leather has been produced from hides and skins for centuries. Today, this long-standing tradition is combined with state-of-the-art technology and fossil fuel-free processes.
Measures
New Cooling Installation
As part of a major refurbishment of the refrigeration system, a new, highly efficient cooling installation was implemented to replace the legacy infrastructure.
Heat Recovery System
The waste heat generated during refrigeration is now captured and reused through an integrated heat recovery system, completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels.
Rooftop Photovoltaic
To enhance on-site renewable energy capacity, the facility installed a new rooftop photovoltaic system in 2023, reducing reliance on grid electricity.
Results
Fossil Fuels
100% elimination of fossil fuels, including natural gas.
CO₂ Reduction
Reduction of CO₂ emissions by approximately 100 tonnes per year compared to 2015.
Grid Electricity
Reduction in grid electricity consumption of around 25%, equivalent to approximately 6.5 tonnes per year, through photovoltaic power generation.
Energy Efficiency
Significantly increased overall energy efficiency through systematic heat recovery.
Centravo / Swiss Nutrivalor Hides and Skins — Annual Carbon Emissions CO₂ (equ. tonnes / year)
The chart illustrates a dramatic reduction in total CO₂ emissions from 145 tonnes in 2013 to just 19 tonnes in 2024. The near-complete elimination of natural gas usage — visible in the sharp decline of the red segment from 2017 onwards — is the primary driver of this improvement, with residual electricity-based emissions also trending downward thanks to photovoltaic generation.
Conclusion
The hides and skins processing facility in Lyss demonstrates how sustainable resource use, technological innovation and Swiss quality standards can work hand-in-hand. By consciously optimising energy use and completely eliminating use of fossil fuels, Centravo is making a measurable contribution to reducing operational emissions and supporting climate protection across the entire value chain.
830K
Hides & Skins
Processed annually at the Lyss facility
14K
Tonnes/Year
Total weight of hides and skins processed
~100t
CO₂ Saved
Reduction in annual CO₂ emissions vs. 2015