New challenges in chrome-free leathers: development of wet-bright process

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to develop a new tanning process (wet-bright) that produces perfectly white leather meeting all of the requirements for many kinds of articles, such as automotive, garment and shoe upper. This new process gives leather that is free of chromium, aldehydes, aldehyde precursors and organic solvents. It is the application of a new system based on a product designated Tanfor TTM from the manufacturer Kemira Chem Solutions. When compared to existing traditional wet leather processes, there are economic and environmental advantages resulting from the use of this new system. Also, the mineral character of the new product system offers leathers with high dye affinity; thus enabling very bright colors in all leather applications. We believe this leather offers such perfect dyeing properties because of the brilliant whiteness of the wet-bright intermediate substrate