Fatliquoring of hides and skins

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General description

Leathers must be lubricated to achieve product-specific characteristics and to re-establish the fat content lost in the previous procedures. The oils used may be of animal or vegetable origin, or may be synthetics based on mineral oils.

Stuffing is an old technique used mainly for heavier vegetable-tanned leather. The sammed leather is treated in a drum with a mixture of molten fat. [11, Heidemann 2000]

The retanned, dyed, and fatliquored leather is usually washed before being piled onto a 'horse' to 'age' (letting the fat migrate from the surface to the interior of the material).

Emerging technologies

Use of fat recycled from sheepskin degreasing in fatliquors

Description The fatty residue from sheepskin degreasing is used as a partial replacement for sulphonated fish oil in the preparation of fatliquoring agents.

Achieved environmental benefits

Reuse of the fat residue from sheepskin degreasing and reduction in the use of raw materials.

Economics

Partial replacement of an expensive raw material priced at approximately EUR 630 per tonne is possible.

Status of development A demonstration project has been completed.

Reference literature [133, Inquimica 2003].

Source: (BAT) Reference Document for the Tanning of Hides and Skins, 2013

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