Raw Hide Preservation

The presence of natural fat in the hide or skin is a major source of difficulties in processing. By itself, or its fatty acid degradation products, natural fat impacts all the processes including dyeing and finishing. TFL has the appropriate solution to eliminate these adverse effects.

This is also a help when fat causes "sloppy" hair in Hair Saving processes. Excessive fat can also cause drawn areas in the limed pelt where fat or the insoluble calcium soaps formed has prevented equal penetration of the liming. In the case of small skins with high fat content e.g. sheep skins from New Zealand, Australia and England etc. the process will depend on if the skins are being sold in pickle or processed in wet-blue. If the skins are to be sold in the pickle generally the amount of degreasing carried out is only enough to keep surface clear. Some processors use little or no surfactants at all in their process however it is recommended to use a surfactant in the delime and bate. The bulk of the fat is left in the pickled skin to be removed later in the subsequent wet-blue process. If the skins are to be processed to wet-blue straight through, then generally aqueous degreasing will be done at the delime and bate stages. Solvent degreasing is normally performed after pickle.

Type of preservation - Variation in structure between cow / ox hides and from breed type. Also geographical origin variations TFL's strategies to overcome natural fat are adapted to each individual type of hide or skin.

The difference in structure between cow and ox and between certain breeds etc. must always be taken into account when considering the end leather type requirements and this is no different when fresh hides are being processed. This variation extends also to geographical origin. Hides or skins from Australia or New Zealand are generally more fatty than a similar breed from Europe and very much more fatty than typical breeds from Asian countries.

Some types such as Zebu may exhibit a particularly loose fibre structure. This generally less tight structure normally expected from certain stock may be optimised by gentle liming with swell regulating liming auxiliaries such as ERHAVIT after a mild soaking with PELLVIT KAB-P enzyme soaking agent. Very fatty stock may be optimally processed with a selected BORRON surfactant or with a lipase containing enzymatic agent like BORRON DL.

Processes

  • Beamhouse

Industries

  • Garment
  • Upholstery
  • Automotive
  • Shoe