Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Fatty Spew

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the possible causes andmechanisms of fatty spew formation is presented, together with a guide to remedial treatments for the defect. Best practices and trouble-shooting guidelines are provided that can be used for the prevention and systematic treatment offatty spew on the tannery floor. The free fatty acid content of individual leathers can be used for routine assessment of the risk of spew events occurring at any stage of production, aswell as the likelihood of fatty spew forming in crust and finished leather. A systematic approach to grading leathers according to their free fatty acid content is presented. This method can be applied on a routine basis in a production line, and/or prior to sending customer shipments.