Abstract

Due to stringent environmental regulation concerning the disposal of tannery waste products there is continuous research on discovering eco-friendly tanning reagents. Vegetable tannins are less polluting to the environment than chromium. A study has been conducted to evaluate the tannin content and tanning strength of selected vegetable tanning materials found in Laikipia County and their suitability for tanning hides and skins. The hide powder method was used in determining the amounts of tannins. Acacia nilotica, Acacia xanthophloea and Hagenia abyssinica had percentage tannins of 16.8%, 23.8%, 11.73% respectively and all of them had a tanning strength of more than 1.5.