Abstract

The aim of the present work is to develop a dehydration process for ovine hide to obtain a new collagenous material for use in the leather industry.What is obtained through this new process is a dry and very porous collagenous substrate which allows the application of tanning chemicals by immersion in aqueous solutions.When compared to existing, traditional processes, economic and environmental advantages are obtained from the use of this new material. More specifically, the new process results in reductions in water use (18%), chemical use (39%), and process time (11%).