Improving the properties of wet-white tanned leather characteristics by using collagen-based biopolymer

Mineral tannage, in particular chrome tanning have been a pioneer for more than a century in many types so that leathers become softer, lighter and more flexible as well as having higher hydrotermal stablity and appropriate crust properties for many different finishes. Despite the high reactivity of chromium salts to collagen giving an effective hydrothermal stability, their immediate concerns about adverse effects on environment and unknown ecological impacts is of a major drawback staying ahead of the industrial sustainability through this technololgy. In this context, new tanning technologies should be invented, replaced and procured acceptance with a satisfiable product quality. The wet-white tannages consist of zirconium (IV) and aluminium (III) salts with high durability and resistance and also organic alternatives consist of phosphonium, aldehydes and some syntans with more eco friendly and biodegradable characteristics seem to be the main combinations of the practices in line with this developments without any changes of infrastructure. This study is considered to be an endeavour in accordance with today's best available techniques and a pathway to possible alternative tanning methods emerging as a result of common trends in avoidance of chromium as a tanning agent. Study with many optimistic results aimed at the improvement of leather performance criteria through the combination of collagen based biopolymers with the tanning agents comprising zirconium (IV) and aluminium (III) salts and phosphonium salts. With the modified tanning method, some imperfections of wet-white leather properties were enhanced by biopolymer additions, thereby; increased the leather qualities.