Raw Hides Research Articles

An Investigation of Sectoral Comparative Advantage of Botswana

The paper investigated sectoral comparative advantage of Botswana. Machinery/electric sector tops inter-sectoral comparative advantage in Botswana. It is followed by the textiles sector. The least in terms of comparative advantage is foot wear/head gear sector then followed by raw hides, skins leather and furs sector. The sector which tops in Botswana in comparative advantage, is not necessarily the one that tops in export value. Diamonds which dominate Botswana’s exports fall in the stone/glass sector and the sector possess less comparative advantage than other sectors ahead of it. It is recommended that Botswana should be promoting other products also other than diamonds in the international markets. That Botswana enacts a focused export promotion strategy on sectors which possess comparative advantage. Botswana should continue providing enabling environment that can lead to inflow of foreign direct investment through transnational corporations with technology that can improve sectoral comparative advantage.

Temporary resource availability and quality constraints in the global leather value chain – The impact of the festival of sacrifice on the leather industry in Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh's livestock population provides a significant resource of raw material for value addition, the export performance of the leather processing sector is poor. Internally sourced raw hides and skins (RHS) dominate the procurement structure, but are subject to cultural-religious traditions. This study seeks to investigate the extent that the three-day Festival of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Azha), on which every year Muslims sacrifice millions of animals to Allah and which accounts for more than 40% of the annual RHS production constrains the industry's competitiveness.Based on the global value chain approach, our findings are drawn from qualitative data. We show that Eid-ul-Azha leads to a temporary oversupply of RHS, which results in serious challenges in the organization of the value chain. Our results point to the special role of systemic trust ensured by religious requirements for sacrificial animals and thus RHS, which enables middlemen to enter the supply chain temporarily. Despite their flexible and voluminous small-scale collection, temporary middlemen lack experience and competences to adequately assess quality and price, thus affecting the competitiveness of downstream actors, in particular the tanneries.Our findings complement the concept of global value chains by stressing the impact of culture-specific constraints, temporarily available resources and trust in relations to middlemen on the competitiveness of the export-oriented leather industry.

TRADE, REVENUE AND WELFARE EFFECTS UNDER AN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN BURKINA FASO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

This study estimates the impact on Burkina Faso of eliminating tariffs on imports from the EU under EPAs, considering trade, revenue and welfare effects. At complete elimination of tariffs on all products imports from trade classification sections (TDC 01-13) from the EU. Burkina Faso is likely to experience both welfare gains and losses depending on the values of imports of each trade classification section in question. The overall welfare effect relative to GDP tends to be very small and positive, but potential tariff revenue losses are enormous even when the country has up to fifteen twenty-five years in which to implement the tariff reductions, unless with scope for tax substitution. EPAs effects are concentrated on those product sections where trade creation outweighs trade diversion such as Animal products, Vegetable products, Animal/Veg. products, Mineral products, and Textiles products. Besides, product sections with the greatest market opportunities for EU suppliers to displace any of the other suppliers, ECOWAS and/or ROW include sections where trade diversion outweighs trade creation effects, such as prepared foodstuffs, product of chemicals, plastics, raw hides & skin, etc. The sensitive products (SPs) to be excluded from tariff removal should include sections in which ECOWAS member nations are suppliers to regional importers so that excluding them as SPs would improve the welfare gain compared to estimates where tariff are removed from those products in which ECOWAS have zero potential. The results at this level of aggregation will provide useful information to the on-going negotiations between ECOWAS and the EU in determining Burkinabes products to be exempted from tariff removal during EPAs based on the severity of the effects on varied trade classification (TDC) sections, among other considerations.

Determinants of South Africa's exports of leather products

ABSTRACT This article analyses the determinants of South African exports of raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and leather (H41) using annual data covering the period 1999 to 2008 for 32 main trading partners. The results show that the importer's gross domestic product (GDP), South Africa's GDP, the importer's infrastructure, the real effective exchange rate and some regional trade agreements are the main determinants of raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and leather exports. The article then investigates if there is unexploited trade potential. The investigation reveals that among the sample countries – namely; Australia, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US) have unexploited export potential. It is important from a policy perspective to focus on the unexploited trade potential (in the above-mentioned trading partners) to accelerate growth and alleviate poverty in South Africa.

Recovery and Utilization of Chromium-Tanned Proteinous Wastes of Leather Making: A Review

Hides and skins, by-products of the meat industry, are converted into a value-added product, leather, by tanners. Tanning essentially is the process of converting raw hides and skins into an imputrescible substance. The tanning process has number of steps and generates significant quantities of by-products and wastes. These solid and liquid wastes pose major a environmental problem if not managed effectively. Large-scale production systems are adopted for leather processing in clusters and, therefore, the industry receives focus of environmentalists and society. Consequently tremendous pressure is exerted by various pollution regulatory bodies. The hides and skins are treated with chemicals, which cross-link the collagen fibers to form a stable, durable material. The chemicals used may be derived from traditional vegetable products or inorganic metal salts. During leather processing a number of size-reduction, leveling, and purification operations are carried out, which results in generation of untanned and tanned proteinous waste materials. The authors review various recovery processes and utilization methodologies of chrome-tanned proteinous solid wastes emanating from leather processing operations.

Effect of ozonation and ultrasonication pretreatment processes on co-digestion of tannery solid wastes

Studies were carried out by the application of ozonation and ultrasonication as pretreatment processes on primary and secondary sludge generated during treatment of tannery wastewater to enhance the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD). Further, co-digestion (simultaneous digestion of two or more substrates) studies were carried out in batch reactors using the fleshings (a solid waste generated during the processing of raw hides or skins into finished leather) along with the primary and the secondary sludge wherein biogas generation was compared with and without pre-treated sludge using ozone and ultrasonication processes, respectively. It was found that, application of pretreatment processes enhanced biogas generation by 45% in the case of ozone pre-treated sludge and 53% by ultrasonication processes, respectively, in conjunction with the fleshings. However, considering the optimum contact time required, application of ultrasonication as a pretreatment process was found to be the most appropriate and viable process to enhance the SCOD. This pretreatment process has the potential for implementation in tanneries using the shortest possible ultrasonication time to minimize energy cost when compared with ozonation time.

Recovery and utilization of proteinous wastes of leather making: a review

Hides and skins, by-product of the meat industry is converted into a value added product namely leather by the tanners. Tanning essentially is the process of converting raw hides and skins into imputrescible substance. The tanning process has number of steps and generates significant quantities of by products and wastes. These solid and liquid wastes pose major environmental problem if not managed effectively. Large–scale production systems are adopted for leather processing in clusters and therefore, the industry receives focus of environmentalists and society. Consequently tremendous pressure is exerted by various pollution regulatory bodies. The hides and skins, after trimming, removal of flesh and fat, are treated with chemicals, which cross-link the collagen fibers to form a stable, durable material. The chemicals used may be derived from traditional vegetable products, or inorganic metal salts. During leather processing number of size reduction, leveling and purification operations are carried out which results in generation of untanned and tanned proteinous waste materials. In this paper, various recovery processes and utilization methodologies of proteinous solid wastes, emanating from leather processing operations prior to tanning is reviewed.

An approach towards redefining water quality parameters for leather industry Part 1. Effect of hardness and chlorides in water

The growth of the leather industry in last few decades has been spectacular. The industry is however highly water intensive. Water is the medium currently employed by the leather industry for the conversion of raw hides and skins to leathers. There are tolerance limits for hardness and chlorides in water for use in various operations of leather processing. These limits were designed keeping in view the auxiliaries and chemicals that were available at a particular period of time. Significant changes have taken place in the auxiliaries and chemicals front resulting in enhanced stability and fastness characteristics for various process conditions. Hence it is necessary to assess and review the quality requirements of water for leather making at present. An attempt has been made to study the various water quality parameters that would influence the chemical uptake and properties of the leather. Water quality parameters particularly hardness and chlorides level were examined individually and effect of hardness and chlorides on soaking liming and chrome tanning were studied in this investigation. Some interesting results have emerged based on the studies carried out. The influence of water quality on the physicochemical characteristics of the leather in pretanning and tanning is reported in this paper. The influence of hardness on soaking, liming and chrome tanning were studied individually. Various levels of hardness water from 500 to 20,000 ppm is used in the unit process of leather manufacture to study the effect and the impact of degree of harness. It is believed the study would form basis for revision of standards on water quality requirements for leather making and there by minimizing competition with domestic sector for fresh water. In other words change in water quality requirements would help sustainable growth of the industry, as alternate sources can be used for leather processing.

Preparation and antimicrobial activity of scleraldehyde from Schizophyllum commune

The present study investigates the antimicrobial activity of oxidized schizophyllan (scleraldehyde) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by diffusion and tube dilution analysis. Schizophyllan is a natural polysaccharide produced by fungi of the genus Schizophyllum. Periodate oxidation specifically cleaves the vicinal glycols in scleraldehyde to form their dialdehyde derivatives. The antibacterial activity exhibited by scleraldehyde was defined using various tests such as the disc diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). MIC and MBC values were found to be in the range of 3.0–8.0 mg/mL. Hence, the present studies establish that the scleraldehyde possesses effective antibacterial properties and can be used as a biopreservative for preservation of raw hides and skins.

Raw hides: Hegemony and cattle in Guatemala’s northern lowlands

As a microcosm of the global livestock-climate problem, this tale of two hegemonies explores how and why two critical constituencies—development planners and conservation professionals—have failed to see the “raw hides” of cattle’s impact on the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala. Based on ethnographic research carried out between 1993 and 2007, this paper seeks to explain the idealization, persistence, and normalization of cattle as a land use in Petén from the colonial period to the present. Framed with a Gramscian analysis of the critical role of organic intellectuals in catalyzing social change, I explore the mental feedback loops reinforcing other social and environmental causes of land degradation in this region. After presenting data on the historical expansion of cattle into the Guatemalan lowlands through government colonization programs, I describe how multilateral lending agencies like the World Bank continue to corral development plans in the region. The next part of the paper explores the complex and ambiguous relations between conservation professionals and the ranching sector. I then conclude with a discussion of how global trade and infrastructure projects such as the Puebla to Panama Plan and the Central America Free Trade Agreement will further mask the hegemonic hides of cattle.

Isolation and identification of fungi which associated with animal's leather

The study included the investigation of fungi which associated with heavy animal's leather (Cows and Buffalos) and light (Sheep’s and Goats )through different processing stages (raw hides ,dehairing ,pickling,chrome tanned and stainning or finished stages)there were 10 genera and 25 species in addition to sterile fungi associated with animal leathers which included Alternaria ,Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Fusarium, Mucor , Penicillium , Rhizopus , and Trichoderma .Aspergillus and Penicillium have observed in all leather samples and different processing stages, and that the first time isolate two genera Helminthosporium , Stemphylium form leather for staining stage.

Isolation and identification of fungi which associated with animal's leather

The study included the investigation of fungi which associated with heavy animal's leather (Cows and Buffalos) and light (Sheep’s and Goats )through different processing stages (raw hides ,dehairing ,pickling,chrome tanned and stainning or finished stages)there were 10 genera and 25 species in addition to sterile fungi associated with animal leathers which included Alternaria ,Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Fusarium, Mucor , Penicillium , Rhizopus , and Trichoderma .Aspergillus and Penicillium have observed in all leather samples and different processing stages, and that the first time isolate two genera Helminthosporium , Stemphylium form leather for staining stage.

Bacterial succession on raw buffalo hide and their degradative activities during ambient storage

Inception of microbiology in leather industry was with reference to tanning processes where major concern was finished product bacteriology. Present investigation aims to study the bacteriology of unprocessed raw material, buffalo hide in particular using culture based and culture independent approach. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the stored hide at different time intervals was done to study temporal successional shifts in the bacterial community. Considering the protein and fat content of hide, proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria were isolated and identified as major degradative flora. The degradative nature of individual isolate was confirmed through in vitro and in vivo investigations as collagenase production and ability to deteriorate raw hide to release amino acids and free fatty acids, respectively. Furthermore, the histological analysis of bacterially spiked raw hides was done as aid to the conclusions drawn. It was found that the temporal bacterial successional shifts occurring on ambient stored raw buffalo hide could be better understood using DGGE. Isolated and characterized degradative flora could be used as test organisms to discover new preservatives and to assess the process of preservation. Even though the process of degradation is very complex, the culture based and culture independent analysis of degradative microflora is comprehensive.

Marbling 기법을 응용한 천연가죽의 디자인 연구 (I)

The study has attempted to introduce a new coating than the conventional standardized method of spray, padding and roll coating. The study has focused on finding condition for separating water and organic layer in marble bath and surface effects according to kind of raw hide. It was found that dyestuff-free was to be used in water layer and the input amount of initial insoluble pigment to be added in marble bath should be adjusted following the change of surface area of the marble bath in order to get efficient marble effect while preventing coagulation of water and organic layers. Eventually, amorphous high value-added leather could be obtained treated in process other than the conventional standardized method. Even raw hides of low grades( grades) could be processed into amorphous marble effect that could conceal or shield surface scratches by the colorant, which eventually eliminated necessity of using excessive amount of chemicals in the coating process leading to achieving high quality marble leather of natural look.

WHAT'S THAT STUFF?

ON A RECENT VACATION in Morocco, my husband and I watched one of the oldest chemical processes in action: the conversion of animal hides into leather by a process that was already well-developed by the 11th century. Although Morocco is known for fine leather, the chemical engineering we observed in the tannery at Marrakech wasn't elegant. This was strictly a batch process, with men in tall rubber boots sloshing hides around in vats containing various solutions. Featured high on the list of chemicals used were lime and ammonia—and even pigeon dung. Around the world, the tanning industry is modernizing and implementing higher standards for protection of workers and the environment. But the basic chemical process of converting a raw hide into leather remains largely the same as it was in the nth century. Essentially, leather makers impregnate raw hides with a variety of chemical substances that prevent them from decaying, make them resistant to ...

Microencapsulación de compuestos de actividad biologica

The vegetable tannins are natural products that are able to form complex with proteins. Within this context, are the most important natural products used in industrial processes that transform raw hides into leathers. In this project we wil characterize the tannins used (evaluation of their power tanning), starting with a basic formulation depending on the final article chosen (upper shoes), the process of tanning is carried out varying the vegetable tannin and evaluating its behaviour with different essays. The evaluated tannins are: mimosa, radiata pine and tare powder. We also present a leather characterization, showing the essays to carry out, the different types of leather depending on its use, the standars used for the analysis and specifications that guide us to them. These specifications indicate the properties that the leather must have to have appropiate behaviour during their manufacture and use.

Effective preservation of raw goat skins for the reduction of total dissolved solids

Raw hides and skins serve as the raw material for leather making industries. The main constituent of these raw materials is protein with about 70% of moisture and they are susceptible to microbial attack; it is essential to preserve the protein matrix of skin/hide before converting it into leather. Though the preservation of skin/hide by using common salt to an extent of 40–50% (w/w) is widely practised, this method generates a huge amount of pollution in the form of total dissolved solids (TDS) and chlorides (Cl) during leather processing. Therefore various investigating groups have been involved in alternative curing systems. With this view, an attempt has been made to evolve a less-salt (5% salt with sodium meta-bisulphate) and salt-less (sodium meta-bisulphate only) curing system for pollution abatement. The results obtained are discussed on the basis of TDS reduction, control of microbial population in the raw state during curing, changes in physical, biochemical, microbiological, thermal characteristics of the preserved skin and the mechanical properties of the leather made out of the experimental skins.

Microbial biodeterioration of leather and its control: a review

Hides and leather can be damaged by bacteria, which are mainly responsible for the decomposition of untanned proteins (in raw hides and during soaking), and fungi, which thrive on tanned leathers containing carbohydrates, fats and proteins. A number of fungicides, including 2-(thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole, in the wide range of biocidal products now available for preventing defects of biological origin in hides and leathers have been compared in efficacy tests and their penetration, absorption and distribution in tanned leather has been investigated. For protection against moulds it is possible to use a single active ingredient, but it is recommended that a combination of fungicides is used to improve performance by synergistic effects and by broadening the activity spectrum against moulds.

Natural leathers from natural materials: progressing toward a new arena in leather processing.

Globally, the leather industry is currently undergoing radical transformation due to pollution and discharge legislations. Thus, the leather industry is pressurized to look for cleaner options for processing the raw hides and skins. Conventional methods of pre-tanning, tanning and post-tanning processes are known to contribute more than 98% of the total pollution load from the leather processing. The conventional method of the tanning process involves the "do-undo" principle. Furthermore, the conventional methods employed in leather processing subject the skin/ hide to a wide variation in pH (2.8-13.0). This results in the emission of huge amounts of pollution loads such as BOD, COD, TDS, TS, sulfates, chlorides and chromium. In the approach illustrated here, the hair and flesh removal as well as fiber opening have been achieved using biocatalysts at pH 8.0, pickle-free natural tanning employing vegetable tannins, and post-tanning using environmentally friendly chemicals. Hence, this process involves dehairing, fiber opening, and pickle-free natural tanning followed by ecofriendly post-tanning. It has been found that the extent of hair removal and opening up of fiber bundles is comparable to that of conventionally processed leathers. This has been substantiated through scanning electron microscopic analysis and softness measurements. Performance of the leathers is shown to be on par with conventionally chrome-tanned leathers through physical and hand evaluation. The process also exhibits zero metal (chromium) discharge and significant reduction in BOD, COD, TDS, and TS loads by 83, 69, 96, and 96%, respectively. Furthermore, the developed process seems to be economically viable.

Zero discharge tanning: a shift from chemical to biocatalytic leather processing.

Beam house processes (Beam house processes generally mean liming-reliming processes, which employ beam.) contribute more than 60% of the total pollution from leather processing. The use of lime and sodium sulfide is of environmental concern (1, 2). Recently, the authors have developed an enzyme-based dehairing assisted with a very low amount of sodium sulfide, which completely avoids the use of lime. However, the dehaired pelt requires opening up of fiber bundles for further processing, where lime is employed to achieve this through osmotic swelling. Huge amounts of lime sludge and total solids are the main drawbacks of lime. An alternative bioprocess, based on alpha-amylase for fiber opening, has been attempted after enzymatic unhairing. This totally eliminates the use of lime in leather processing. This method enables subsequent processes and operations in leather making feasible without a deliming process. A control experiment was run in parallel using conventional liming-reliming processes. It has been found that the extent of opening up of fiber bundles using alpha-amylase is comparable to that of the control. This has been substantiated through scanning electron microscopic, stratigraphic chrome distribution analysis, and softness measurements. Performance of the leathers is shown to be on a par with leathers produced by the conventional process through physical and hand evaluation. Importantly, softness of the leathers is numerically proven to be comparable with that of control. The process also demonstrates reduction in chemical oxygen demand load by 45% and total solids load by 20% compared to the conventional process. The total dry sludge from the beam house processes is brought down from 152 to 8 kg for processing 1 ton of raw hides.