Inverse Chrome Tanning Technology A Practical Approach to Minimizing Cr(III) Discharge

Main Article Content

Yue Yu
Yunhang Zeng
Tao Liang
Jianfei Zhou
Bi Shi

Abstract

Conventional chrome tanning technology (CCTT) generates a remarkable quantity of Cr(III)-containing wastewater and solid wastes, which may pose a potential risk to the environment. In this work, an inverse chrome tanning technology (ICTT) was developed based on chrome-free tanning by Al–Zr complexes and highly oxidized starch (AZ–HOS) to minimize Cr(III) discharge. The 7.5% AZ–HOS exhibited sufficient tanning effect and gave wet white a shrinkage temperature of over 80o C. Thus, wet white can be stably stored for one year and possessed high absorption capacity to post-tanning chemicals (85%–90%) because its pI (7.1) was as high as that of wet blue. Terminal chrome tanning with 1.0% chrome tanning agent after post-tanning gave the ICTT crust leather physical and organoleptic properties that are comparable to those of CCTT crust leather. Moreover, the Cr and TOC loads in ICTT wastewater decreased by 99.9% and 42.4%, respectively. Therefore, this work provides a clean and practical tanning system for the sustainable leather industry. 

Article Details

Section
Articles