Sustainability of Leather Sector in Developing Countries

The idea of "Sustainability" has become one of the major topics in industry in the early 21st Century. Due to outdated processes and methods applied in the leather industry, the waste products and the significant amounts of process water that is used go against the concept of sustainability and relevant environmental legislations of the governments. Examples are very well known, e.g. organic sludges with sulfides, chrome, salts, residues of surfactants, poor biodegradable tannins and fats etc.

With most consumers, the perception of leather as a natural material is invaluable and it should be preserved and increasingly associated with sustainability, which is why the leather industry itself should insist on very strict sustainability criteria. The primary tasks of cleaner leather technologies are to reduce the amount and possibly change the nature of pollution emissions, meet specific discharge norms, reduce treatment costs or comply with occupational safety and health standards. The typical primary targets are: lower water consumption, improved uptake of chemicals, avoidance of hazardous and/or banned substances, better quality/re-usability of solid wastes and reduced content of specific pollutants such as heavy metals and electrolytes contained therein.

This book includes 12 papers contributed by researchers, scientists, experts and professionals from eight different countries namely Cuba, Egypt, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Zimbabwe, giving significant insights into various approaches and policies that are being adopted by the developing countries to ensure Sustainability in the Leather Sector. The book will serve as a valuable reference material for the entire community of leather researchers, experts and practitioners from the developing countries in understanding the various methodologies for promoting sustainability in the leather sector.