UNHAIRING OF GOAT SKINS BY AN ALTERNATIVE NONENZYMATIC AND SULFIDE FREE PROCESS

Goatskins have been unhaired using nickel carbonate instead of sodium sulphide. The skins were treated with a paste of 1% nickel carbonate, 1% sodium hydroxide, 3% Lime and a filler like kaolin or china clay pl us water. The skins were covered and left for 16 h. at room temperatur e (28 degrees C). The unhaired skins were further processed by convent ional techniques and converted into crust leather. The results obtaine d are comparable with sulphide lime system in terms of duration and ef ficacy of the process. Unlike sodium sulphide unhairing, the skins unh aired with nickel carbonate have a natural colour and the crust leathe r was softer than the control leathers.