Lineapelle kicked off today at Fiera Milano Rho for its 108th edition, bringing together 1,029 exhibitors from 38 countries across an exhibition area of approximately 39,000 square meters. The fair, which runs until September 17, is the main international event dedicated to leather, materials and components for the footwear sector. The organization notes that the number of participants has not yet fully recovered since the February edition, affected by the Winter Olympic Games, but the major companies confirmed their presence in a particularly challenging economic context.
Portugal is represented at Lineapelle 2026 by 29 companies, twelve of which are from Felgueiras, leading the national presence. The Felgueiras companies include Combocal, Solpré, Real Step, Exporsola, Isi Soles, Itaflex, Vapesol, Atlanta, Bolflex, Marqsol, Tectex and Poleva Termoconformados, SA. The remaining Portuguese companies come from Vila Nova de Gaia, São João da Madeira, Alcanena, Santa Maria da Feira, Santarém, Lousada, Oliveira de Azeméis, Maia and Vila Nova de Famalicão.
Beyond the commercial presence, Portugal is presenting two research projects funded by the PRR. BioShoes4All, highlighted at Lineapelle, is the largest collaborative project ever developed by the Portuguese footwear industry in the areas of bioeconomy and sustainability, with 69 partners, approximately 60 million euros in investment and over 200 scientific, technological and industrial results. At Simac Tanning Tech, the FAIST project will be featured, led by Carité from Felgueiras, with an investment close to 50 million euros to develop 34 new products, processes and technological services.
The Portuguese footwear sector is accelerating its international presence, with approximately 100 companies participating in actions abroad over two months. In Italy, more than 70 Portuguese companies are divided across three fairs: MICAM (32 companies), Lineapelle (31) and Simac (8). Luís Onofre, president of APICCAPS, emphasized that the goal is to transform the knowledge created into new business opportunities, making Portugal an international reference in sustainable solutions for the footwear industry.
