The All China Leather Exhibition will be held in Shanghai from Sept 4 to 6.

About 1,300 companies from 41 countries and regions will participate in the leather event and in two other fairs, the China International Footwear Fair and Moda Shanghai.

Some 50 exhibitors will cover all aspects of the industry from machinery and chemicals to a diverse range of leather products. Italy is expected to be an important player at the event, in terms of design and innovation.

The growth of China's leather industry slowed down in the first half of 2012, said Su Chaoying, chairman of the China Leather Industry Association, one of the organizers of the exhibition.

The total industry production value was $78 billion in the first half, up 14.6 percent year-on-year. However, the growth rate declined 11.7 percent.

“The industry is still seeing steady and healthy growth, the slowdown is mainly because of the sluggish global economic environment and the increasing industrial costs in China,” Su said.

He estimated that the growth rate of the industry in the second half will be between 10 and 15 percent.