A novel chromium-iron tanning agent: Cross-fertilization in solo tannage

Ecological pressures on chromium have now forced the leather industry to lo ok for possible alternatives. Since chromium appears to be indespensible to the leather industry, we must look for low chrome technology. In this conn ection, the present study concerns iron as a tanning agent along with chrom ium in a selected ligand environment. The study reveals that the exhaustion s of both the metals were above 90% with shrinkage temperature above 115 de grees C. The negative attributes associated with iron tanning such as deter ioration and darkening of colour on ageing were negated with this product. In view of improved organoleptic properties coupled with enhanced physico-c hemical properties, it is appropriate to promote the novel chromium-iron ta nning agent to replace basic chromium sulphate in tanning with the slogan " chrome saver approach". The work provides a starting point for the revival of iron tannage, opening new avenues to eco-friendly leather processing.