Abstract

A set of chrome recycling trials have been carried out, to determine the extent of the influence that chrome recycling has on the colour and properties of the resultant leathers. Initially chrome recycle liquor was obtained from a commercial tannery that had been continuously chrome recycling for a period of 18 months. A total of 8 cycles were then carried out at LIRI, using 4 sides per cycle, with the matching sides being processed by a conventional chrome tannage. The chrome contents of the matching wet blue sides were very similar and the influence that chrome recycling had on the final leather colour, dyed medium brown, was from no difference (66% of sides) to slightly lighter (34%).