Dutch company Stahl Africa has launched the first ever skin products chemical laboratory in Ethiopia. The laboratory was established in Addis Ababa at a total cost of 5 thousand Euros and is expected to offer testing for different types of animal skins and hides.

The laboratory will be a part of efforts to ensure the quality of Ethiopian leather products to enable them to become more competitive on the international market said Sisay Gemetchu, State Minister for Industry.

The laboratory will help share the well developed Dutch expertise in the sector with the Ethiopian leather industry to help support the growing field said Hans Blankenberg, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Ethiopia. It is also expected that the laboratory will have the capacity to offer services to the leather sectors of countries in the region.

The laboratory will launch services using imported chemical but has plans to establish a plant to produce quality chemicals for its use and for the use of other sectors that require similar chemicals it was said.

Source: Walta