'Green' Leather Is In This Season
- Date:
- October 10, 2007
- Source:
- Society of Chemical Industry
- Summary:
- Scientists have modified the leather tanning process making it far more eco-friendly. They have reduced the amount chemicals released by 82 percent and made an energy saving of nearly 40 percent. No loss of the leather quality was observed when compared with conventional tanning methods.
- Share:
Fashionista's after the latest in leather bags could soon have a 'greener' selection to choose from. Scientists in India have modified the tanning process making it far more eco-friendly. Tanning is a complex chemical process used to transform perishable raw hides and skins into durable leather. Unfortunately, as a result, high levels of pollution are released into the water.
Raghava Rao and his team at the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Adyar have modified the process to make it into an eco-friendly, cost-efficient method.
The researchers found that simply reversing the order of the tanning and post-tanning steps can drastically improve the process. By also promoting non-chemical-based pre-tanning methods, they have reduced the amount chemicals released by 82% and made an energy saving of nearly 40%.
According to Rao, "The significance is tremendous in the context of environmental challenges being faced by the leather industry". Most importantly, no loss of the leather quality was observed when compared with conventional tanning methods.
This method is detailed in the Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, and also reported in Chemistry & Industry.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Society of Chemical Industry. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Subramani Saravanabhavan, Jonnalagadda Raghava Rao, Balachandran Unni Nair, Thirumalachari Ramasami. An eco-efficient rationalized leather process. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 2007; 82 (11): 971 DOI: 10.1002/jctb.1727
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