Study and practice on alternative eco-friendly processes for leather manufacture

The inclusion of environmental issues in the definition and implementation of other policies is essential for achieving the objective of sustainable development. Leather industry, which has a considerable pollutant impact, must find efficient technological and economical solutionsfor this problem. Efficient raw material and energy usage, optimum process chemical utilisation, recovering and recycling of waste and substitution of harmful substances are important principles of the IPPC Directive. For tanneries the focal points are water consumption, efficient use and substitution of potentially harmful process agents and waste reduction within the process in conjunction with the recycling and re-use options. Chromium (III) salts are extensively used in the tanning process; about 90% of the leather manufactured worldwide is tanned using chromium (III). It has been used in the leather industry for almost 150 years, because it remains the most efficient and versatile tanning agent available and it is also relatively cheap. Due to the toxicity of chromium, tanners around the world are often placed under pressure to reduce the chromium content of their effluent discharges and the resulted solid wastes (leather wastes and sludge). The main objective of the pa per is development of new clean technologies for leather manufacture, in order to protect environment and improve the quality of life for both workers and consumers. The new vegetable tanning processes developed in a traditionally mineral tannery will increase ecological and economic efficiency and may save resources for further sustainable development. © 2010 Revista de Pielarie Incaltaminte.