Abstract

Collagen hydrolysates obtained from shavings of chrome tanned sheep skins were used in a pretanning process for sheepskins and the effect on the efficiency of chrome tanning was observed. Various physical tests and chemical analyses were applied to tanned sheepskins and the results were evaluated statistically. Wet-blue leathers pretanned with 5% protein by-product (collagen hydrolysates) showed increased chromium take-up and had better physical characteristics.