Abstract:
Tanning is the process by which raw skins and hides are
converted to a durable and flexible material which is non-
putrescible. Leather has good hydrothermal stability, good
mechanical properties, and its resistance to chemical and
biological degradation helps it to be used in various applications.
Leather can be used for various purposes such as making of
handbags, belts, clothing, small accessories and shoes, furniture,
interior decoration. The leather industry gets its raw materials
form hides and skins of cattle, camel, sheep and goat and also from
exotic sources such as ostrich, rabbit, crocodiles and fish. Kenya
having a good strong base for fish industry there is need to pursue
the production of fish leather. Leather processing involves three
sub stages; pretanning, tanning and post tanning and finishing.
There are different types of tannage available depending on the
quality of the leather need by the consumer. The types include
mineral tanning include (chromium, aluminum, iron, zinc),
vegetable tanning (mimosa, acacia, quebracho), aldehyde tanning
(glutaldehyde, formaldehyde) and oil tanning. The range of
physical properties determines the quality of product. Various
physical, chemical and fastness properties are required from
leather products depending on their field of use. New methods and
technologies should be applied to reduce the ecological impact of
leather production.
