Categoría: Vegetable tanning

Olipo Project: vegetable tanning from olive residues

Content posted by: Lederpiel.

A residue from the extraction of olive oil called bagasse contains tannins that allow the leather to tan naturally, reducing the use of chemicals in the process. This is confirmed by a recent investigation by the A3 Leather Innovation Center Chair, of the Igualada-UdL University Campus, specialized in the leather production chain. The Olipo Project will facilitate the production of leather goods that are more ecological and free of contaminants such as chromium.

This research not only makes the leather industry more sustainable but also contributes to highlighting a residue from the oil extraction industry. According to the director of A3 Leather Innovation Center, Anna Bacardit, the use of bagasse «allows us to obtain top quality ecological leather, while revaluing a problematic waste from the olive oil extraction industry».

Of the total material that is provided for olive production, only 20 percent is the final squeezed product and the remaining 80 percent is bagasse, that is, the remains of husk, bones and other residues of the raw material. Thus, the Olipo Project proposes new strategies within the framework of the circular economy, establishing synergies between the two industries.

You can read the original article HERE

Creating Biodiesel from tanning waste

Content posted by: Lederpiel

More than 17 million tonnes of animal elements, derived from leather tanning, are processed every year across Europe, producing just under 3 million tonnes of animal fat.

Part of all this fat is solely destined for disposal in landfills or incineration, which is a problem for both the climate and the environment as it may contain harmful substances.

To give a new life to this element, the new Life Superbiodiesel project offers an alternative for the recovery of these wastes and aims to develop, test and demonstrate the production of biodiesel from animal waste using a new fat transesterification technology.

The Technological Institute AIJU coordinates this project that aims to design, build and optimize a pilot plant capable of processing five tons of biodiesel obtained from animal fat. One of the advantages of this project, in addition to the production of high added value biodiesel, is the potential reduction of 80 percent of the carbon footprint over conventional diesels and 35 percent compared to first generation biodiesel, according to first estimates.

You can read the original information HERE.

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Everything you need to know about vegetable tanning

Content posted by: Newsletter 2/2020 of Leather Spain

Vegetable tanning is expanding its space in market every day. Vegetable tanned leather is a skin treated with tanning agents of certain barks, fruits or leaves that transform the skin into a durable material with many interesting properties. And new formulas have appeared, such as grape seeds, olive and rhubarb leaves, all very effective.

This process allows to obtain firm, highly abrasion-resistant, technical and hypoallergenic leather. They also have antibacterial properties and are breathable, with good absorption and removal of moisture. With its characteristic scent, warm tones that darken over time, and “ability to age well,” vegetable tanning skin embodies the essence of this material.

Vegetable tanned leather can be called “vegetable leather” for convenience and some have taken advantage of this fact to reach a new audience because of the upward trend of veganism. However, the confusion between “vegetable leather” and “vegan leather” was quickly pointed out as inappropriate. In fact, “vegan leather” does not exist and it is more appropriate to talk about vegan materials, whether they are petroleum, synthetic or plant-based.

Some European countries have decrees and regulations on the use of the term leather and / or the labeling of leather goods (France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece or Estonia). However, only footwear enjoys uniform labeling legislation in the EU, but even this does not preclude misleading descriptions and fraudulent promotional or marketing practices that affect the term leather.

There are still no specifications for other leather products, applicable at European level to protect the leather from deceptive oxymorons in which the word leather is associated with pineapple, mushroom, etc. Together with COTANCE, the organizations of the leather industry of Europe are working to achieve the protection of the term leather within the European Union.

You can access the original post HERE.