Abstract
The use of biomass to produce bioenergy and biomaterials is considered a sustainable alternative to depleting fossil fuel resources. The world tanneries consume 8–9 MT of skin and hide every year producing 1.4 MT of solid waste. Most of the solid biomass generated from tanneries is disposed of as waste in the environment using either landfilling or thermal incineration. Disposal of this waste into the environment affects the ecosystem, causing bad odor (air pollution) and has an antagonistic impact on the environment. Due to this, European Union legislation bans the landfilling of biomass. This study aims to comprehensively review the possible valorization routes of leather processing industry biomass into high‐value biomaterials. Leather biomass (trimmings, shaving, splitting, and buffing dust) mainly contain 30%–35% collagen protein, which is produced by acid or alkali hydrolysis. The biopolymers obtained from leather industry biomass can be utilized in the production of several high‐value materials. In addition, leather processing industry biomass also contains fat, which can be converted into a bio‐surfactant, and other useful biomaterials. Keratin protein can also be extracted from the hair waste of hides and skins. The increased demand for biomaterials makes the using of leather industry biomass very attractive. From this study, it can be concluded that the conversions of leather processing industry waste to valuable biomaterial can protect the environment, generate additional income for leather industries, and pave way for sustainable and renewable biomaterials production.
Highlights
Biomass is the renewable resource that constitutes the foundation for bioeconomy development
There is a need for the total transformation of the entire economy from fossil-based to bio-based production and consumption. e conversion of biomass to biomaterial and bio-energy is accomplished by the biorefinery approach [2]. e strategy of biorefining has been recognized as the main element to boost the emerging bioeconomy by offering a wide range of products from a wide range of biomass sources to satisfy the diverse demands of the community
“In addition, biorefineries are key elements to support the development of a circular bioeconomy by connecting the stream and loops and allowing for the valorization of multiple side-products” [1, 3]
Summary
Biomass is the renewable resource that constitutes the foundation for bioeconomy development. E solid biomass such as hair, trimmings, flashing, splitting, and shaving are the potential starting materials for the production of high-value biomaterial. 1000 kg of raw hide generates 800–850 kg (80%– 85%) of solid wastes in leather processing, of which 56–60% is flashing waste; 35–40% is chrome shaving, split, and buffing waste; 5.7% is trimmings; and 2.5% is hair [7, 8]. A comprehensive review on the possible utilization of leather biomass for biomaterials and bioenergy, and their application in different areas of science and technology was assessed. Leather industry biomass like fleshing, trimmings, shaving, and splitting can be the main sources of collagen, which could be converted to gelatin after chemical/physical reaction. Fleshing and shaving wastes are major components of biomass, whereas hair wastes are the major source of fertilizer [7]
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