FROM HIDE TO LEATHER

Leather

 

Our ancestors have been using leather since the beginning of civilized life: Leather production is one of the oldest cultural achievements of mankind. However, we know very little about how to protect animal hide from degrading and how to process it in order to obtain a high-quality finish.

The aim of leather production is to prevent the material from decomposing. The raw hide is first chilled and preserved with salt and the reduction of moisture in the hide is then balanced by a special soaking process. Removal of hair, dirt and other unwanted material also takes place during this process via the addition of lime and sulfur-compounds. The cleaned hide is then split horizontally into two layers of even thickness in preparation for tanning. During tannning, the tannins form a chemical bond with the hide fibres which interweave to prevent decomposition. The wet leather is then dried and folded to the desired thickness. It is In the dyeing kitchen that the final characteristics of the leather are determined - pigments, binders and coatings are applied.