Low Carbon Products to Design Innovative Leather Processes. Part II: Determination of the Optimal Physical Modification of Tara

Abstract

This study considers the fruit of the tara bush as a sustainable source for tanning agents and proposes alternatives to chromium and other mineral salts and vegetable extracts. Specifically, physical modifications have been developed in part II of the study to obtain a modified tara with a higher percentage of tannins and with a better level of penetration (see Low carbon products to design innovative leather processes. Part I: determination of the optimal chemical modification of tara).1 The physical modification of tara focused on milling and sieving. The different products obtained have been characterized and applied to leather samples in order to evaluate the degree of penetration and stabilization in the leather structure.