Eco-leather: Chromium-free Leather Production Using Titanium, Oligomeric Melamine-Formaldehyde Resin, and Resorcinol Tanning Agentsand the Properties of the Resulting Leathers

Abstract

The chromium salt tanning system, which is still the most popular leather tanning procedure, is under continuous pressure from environmental groups and international regulations. Therefore, for many years, numerous experiments have been carried out on chromium-free leather production. In this study, newly produced synthetic and inorganic chemicals were used as tanning and pre-tanning agents as an alternative to a chromium tanning agent. This new titanium based tanning agent, obtained from processing wastes from the industry of nonferrous metals, was used as a main tanning agent. In addition, an oligomeric melamine-formaldehyde resin and resorcinol type pre-polymer were used as pre-tanning agents for the production of chromium-free leathers. Physical tests and chemical analysis of the produced chromium-free leathers gave comparable results to leathers tanned with basic chromium sulphate.