Spain Develops Chrome Free Tanning Technology To Reduce Pollution

Although the role of chromate in leather making is very important, this substance and its residues are very harmful to the environment. In many countries, the law stipulates that the recycling plant must protect the environment from the harm of highly toxic tannery sewage.

At present, the Spanish footwear Technology Association (INESCOP) is leading a new research project aimed at developing safer leather making technology, using a chrome free process called Oxatan, based on the environmentally friendly oxazole method.

The Spanish shoe Technology Association has spent several years looking for new materials to replace chromium used in tanning process. This research has achieved excellent results, and there is no evidence that tanning leather with oxazole can pollute the environment.

The objectives of the project are:

Promoting the use of environmentally friendly leather in shoemaking and furniture decoration industry

Reducing environmental pollution caused by tanning, shoemaking and furniture decoration

Reduce the environmental pollution caused by the end of the use of leather.

In the harmful health and environmental material content, help shoemaking and furniture decoration industry to achieve legal or voluntary environmental requirements.

The results and objectives of the LifeOxatan project will be communicated in the following ways: networking, trade fairs, trade shows, special courses, user manuals and promotional videos for tanning technicians.

In addition to similar debates about whether the term "synthetic leather" is misused, the work of Leather Naturally and ICT and Cotance Life Oxatan also help to improve leather making technology to protect the environment, and promote leather as a sustainable and biodegradable material suitable for shoemaking, furniture decoration and fashion production.