Development of a New Leather Intermedidate: Wet-bright with a High Dye Affinity

Abstract

In this work we develop a new tanning process (that we call wet-bright) that produces leather free of chromium, aldehydes, aldehyde precursors and organic solvents. Due to the mineral character of the new system, the leather offers a perfect dyeability and high dye affinity, allowing for very bright colors in all leather applications. The leathers offer a perfect dyeability due to the brilliant whiteness of the wet-bright intermediate. This new system consists of the application of Tanfor TTM system (from Kemira) which is safe for both humans and environment and is not classified as hazardous. In addition, when compared to existing traditional processes, there are economic and environmental advantages resulting from the use of this new system.