Hygienic Properties of Leather Finished with Formulations Containing Collagen Hydrolysate Obtained by Acid Hydrolysis

Test results of finished leathers are presented in this paper. Varying proportions of acrylic resin and collagen hydrolysate were used as binding agents. The hydrolysate was produced from waste chromium-tanned hide by means of acid hydrolysis. Sorption, desorption and water vapour permeability were assayed and softness of leathers finished with mixes of varying collagen hydrolysate contents was determined. The testing has demonstrated that collagen hydrolysate in the finishing mixes improved the hygienic properties of finished leathers (increasing absorption, desorption and water vapour permeability). On the other hand leather softness declined a little. It has been demonstrated that a new leather finishing mix containing protein hydrolysate recovered from chrome shavings can be proposed.