The Cr.AB process: A new ecological process for the transformation of pickled hides into leather: Part 1: Chrome tanning

As a result of the almost impossible demands of the legislator, chrome poll ution of wastewater from tanneries is increasingly becoming the number one ecological problem for the tanner. There is no lack of processes using a co nsiderably reduced chrome concentration and guaranteeing an acceptable exha ustion of residual chrome liquors. In spite of all ecological and economica l advantages of low-chrome tanning, the main objective of the tanner is sti ll to produce high quality saleable leathers. He requires processes which n either complicate the production sequence nor impair the quality of the lea ther. In the following, a new high exhaustion process, the Cr.A.B. tanning proces s, is introduced which, at a chrome oxide concentration of 1.3% (calculated on pickled weight) and with a total exhaustion of the chrome tanning liquo rs, supplies leathers of excellent quality.