A review of sustainable leather tanning
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2024
Department/School
Chemistry
Publication Title
Green Chemical Processes
Abstract
This chapter offers a critical review of the chemistry of leather tanning in a manner suitable for an audience of science educators by assessing and highlighting the environmental, sustainable, and green challenges facing this global industry. In this review, various leather tanning processes are critically contrasted with an emphasis on their green successes and shortcomings. Moreover, recent advances in green leather tanning and remediation using, for example, nanochemistry, will be provided. However, the narrative will also be of educational interest to leather chemists and technical professionals because it integrates the applied chemistry and biochemistry of leather tanning processes with sustainable practices. In doing so, the chapter recognizes the contributions of scientists and industrial chemists from diverse geographical areas where the tanning industry thrives. By integrating science content with sustainability and environmental issues, this narrative will assist those in both academia and manufacturing better understand the complex environmental issues involved in creating leather products for the fashion industry. Moreover, in the discussion that follows, how green advances promote sustainability is discussed within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to understand which SDGs are pertinent, the detailed chemistry of each process will be examined in detail. A scale is then introduced to rank and summarize the various leather tanning methods according to their sustainability.
Recommended Citation
Kolopajlo, L. (2024). A review of sustainable leather tanning. In M. A. Benvenuto & L. Kolopajlo (Eds.), Green chemical processes (pp. 67–150). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110799088-005
Comments
L, Kopajlo is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Chemistry.