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The Reuse of Water in Leather Manufacturing Industries

The Reuse of Water in Leather Manufacturing Industries

Tanning and leather manufacturing industries employ huge amounts of water. Moreover, they generate high wastewater flows, which require treatment because of the high concentrations of pollutant species. In this article, we discuss the Reuse of Water in Leather Manufacturing Industries by establishing the water consumption in each stage of leather processing and proposing a water reuse technique. Experiments confirm that the reuse method is an effective way to reduce water consumption and improve industrial processes.

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Reuse of water in the leather tanning process

Water is a critical component in the leather tanning process. The amount of water used varies according to the tanning process. To reduce the amount of water needed, leather manufacturers can cut their water usage by at least 40%. They can also minimize the amount of chemicals they use, and they can recycle wastewater back into the tannery. However, these efforts will require extensive research and development. Fortunately, the industry is already making progress.

The Reuse of Water in Leather Manufacturing Industries

Toxic chemicals, including calcium oxide and sodium chloride, are used to process leather. These chemicals, combined with the non-ionic wetting agents used in leather tanning, contribute to the problem of water pollution. This is especially problematic when leather tanning takes place in water bodies. The water and chemical ratios generated by the tanning process are quite high, and this results in the pollution of water bodies and groundwater.

Fenton reaction followed by membrane filtration for liming/unhairing
The Reuse of Water in Leather Manufacturing Industries

Environmental concerns have led to efforts to develop environmentally friendly processes for the liming/unhairing processes in the leather manufacturing industries. This includes recycling wastewater by utilizing green chemistry approaches. Among other things, green chemistry approaches are helpful for the production of chrome-free leather. One of these approaches is the Fenton reaction followed by membrane filtration to remove organic contaminants from wastewater.

Among the most important processes in leather, the industry is liming/unhairing. This process produces a high volume of effluent loaded with hazardous organic wastes. This effluent is considered one of the most noxious materials and is a major contributor to environmental pollution. As a result, conventional chemical treatment techniques have proven to be inefficient for these processes.

DriTan

The first major step to achieving waterless tanning is to use fresh hides instead of dyed ones. This reduces salts in the wastewater that are difficult to clean. The next step is to develop a process for the tanning process that will make it possible to use a less toxic chemical mix. Many stakeholders are involved in the development of new processes. The transition to new systems will also cost money.

ECCO Leather is an example of a company committed to reducing its carbon footprint and wastewater. The company operates four tanneries, two beam houses, and wastewater treatment facilities. This technology enables tanneries to reduce the chemicals used in the tanning process and utilise moisture already present in the hide. In addition to reducing the chemicals used, DriTan significantly reduces water consumption.

Untanned by-products can be used for industrial applications

Untanned by-products can have many applications, from fertilizers to industrial products. While they may not be suitable for use in food, they are an excellent source of nutrients. They can be used in combination with inorganic chemical fertilizers and packaged and marketed as a commercial fertilizer for a specific cropping system. This reduces the storage problem and enables producers to use environmentally friendly by-products

Untanned by-products are a valuable resource for the meat industry, accounting for nearly 11.4% of beef and 7.5% of gross pork income. While humans once ate them, health concerns and low prices have led to a greater focus on industrial uses. Meat by-products are produced by meat processors, slaughterhouses, and rendering plants. As a result, many traditional meat by-product markets are disappearing.

DriTan is the first step toward water-free leather manufacturing

ECCO Leather has taken a significant step towards creating water-free leather by introducing DriTan technology to the world. While water consumption has long been an issue in leather tanning, DriTan has been shown to significantly reduce water use and minimise the amount of chemicals used in the process. Its new technology also helps the leather industry meet the requirements of global climate change by reducing the amount of water required for tanning.

ECCO Leather, a leading Scandinavian footwear company, has developed the process of using a water-free process. The technology will be showcased at the World Water Congress in Tokyo. It uses existing tannery chemicals and equipment and eliminates about 600 tons of wastewater annually. This new technology also helps to keep the environment clean and reduces the need for water-related sludge disposal.