Trends in leather processing: A Review

Abstract

Tanning is the process by which raw skins and hides are

converted to a durable and flexible material which is non- putrescible. Leather has good hydrothermal stability, good

mechanical properties, and its resistance to chemical and biological degradation helps it to be used in various applications. Leather can be used for various purposes such as making of handbags, belts, clothing, small accessories and shoes, furniture, interior decoration. The leather industry gets its raw materials form hides and skins of cattle, camel, sheep and goat and also from exotic sources such as ostrich, rabbit, crocodiles and fish. Kenya having a good strong base for fish industry there is need to pursue the production of fish leather. Leather processing involves three sub stages; pretanning, tanning and post tanning and finishing. There are different types of tannage available depending on the quality of the leather need by the consumer. The types include mineral tanning include (chromium, aluminum, iron, zinc), vegetable tanning (mimosa, acacia, quebracho), aldehyde tanning (glutaldehyde, formaldehyde) and oil tanning. The range of physical properties determines the quality of product. Various physical, chemical and fastness properties are required from leather products depending on their field of use. New methods and technologies should be applied to reduce the ecological impact of leather production.