Development of an organo-zirconium complex - Organozir as possible alternative to chromium

The universal application of chrome tanning is under threat. Mineral altern atives to chromium are currently being sought. An alternative mineral tanni ng salt based on zirconium, named as Organozir, has been developed. The new ly developed zirconium based tanning compound helps to overcome the known d isadvantages of basic zirconium sulphate viz., drawn grain of resulting lea ther and the need to employ acidic pH (<2.5) for tanning. The present inves tigation provides secure means to avoid the entry of chromium(III) salts em ployed in tanning in waste streams around tannery clusters.