Innovative Technology for the treatment of collagen and leather

Currently over 85% of the world leathers are tanned with chromium (III) salts. However, it is now known that chromium retained in the skin can give rise to Cr (VI), which is highly toxic and carcinogenic. The main alternatives used industrially (synthetic tannins, natural or aldehydes) to tan leather impart physical and mechanical properties inferior to Chrome, and moreover do not solve health problems for the consumer or environmental impact since these skins may release formaldehyde (carcinogenic) and phenol (cytotoxic). The possibility to find a viable alternative to the methods currently used industrially for the tanning of skins thus remains an open question.