“GREEN”
LEATHER
Scientists
at the Central Leather Research Institute in India have established a way to
modify the tanning process in order to make it more eco-friendly and
cost-efficient with no observable loss of leather quality. Researchers found that simply reversing the
order of the tanning and post-tanning steps, while simultaneously promoting
non-chemical-based pre-tanning methods, reduced the amount of chemicals
released by 82% and made an energy saving of nearly 40%. These findings were
published in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. According to
the head of this study, Raghava Rao, “The significance is tremendous in the
context of environmental challenges being faced by the leather industry.” [1]
TILEATHER
Beginning
in 2010, the European Union funded a project called Tileather ('Ecofriendly
Leather Tanned with Titanium'). The main
objective of this project was to develop a new chrome-free leather tanning
method that would reduce the potential risk to humans and the environment. Tileather researchers came upon the idea of
using titanium as an alternative to chrome, and it was soon found that titanium
produces leather that is light and strong, yet is biocompatible with human
tissues; it is innocuous, hypoallergenic and biodegradable. The new process
eliminates chromium completely, while producing leather with similar
properties.
Once the new process was established
and tested, the project team began manufacturing the product under the trade
name Sanotan, and supplied it to various producers.
Over the two years that Tileather
was mannufactured, project partners say they managed to eliminate 25.5 tons of chromium
compounds from their tanning processes while reducing their CO2 emissions by 35
tons. [2]
Below is great video about Tileather, found on euronews.com.
References:
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