Reducing the use of volatile organic compounds in the leather industry

Abstract

The tanning industry uses some pollutant chemicals, which are hazardous and toxic. This paper proposes a modest research contribution to examine how to reduce or replace some of these products by less dangerous and less polluting chemicals in the finishing operations. This work also examines how to reduce solvents in the finishing formulations currently being used in the production of a leather article. Specifically, a study of each coat has been carried out to find out how to replace the most polluting products and still obtain all the adequate physical and organoleptic features in the final article to be manufactured. Leather manufactured applying the new process has been compared to leather obtained by means of the traditional process. The findings reveal that the new formulation complies with all requirements concerning physical resistance, fastness, and organoleptic properties. The decrease in volatile organic compounds obtained with the new formulation has also been studied.