Leather manufacturer Bridge of Weir Leather has introduced BioTAN and FreeTAN, two technologies for the development of bio-based and biodegradable leather.
Tanning is the production process whereby collagen is stabilized and its raw material becomes leather. Bridge of Weir’s two technologies, which have been developed over the last four years, aim to increase the bio-content and end-of-life biodegradability properties of the company’s leather and remove fossil fuel, oil-derived components and heavy metals from its processes.
BioTAN is designed to increase the bio-based content within the chrome-free leather tanning process, to more than 50%.
FreeTAN offers a complete replacement of traditional tanning chemistry with compostable technology. The company says the process is chrome-free, heavy-metal-free and aldehyde-free.
Simon Cook, group technical director at Bridge of Weir Leather, said, “With our new BioTAN and FreeTAN innovations, we are further raising the bar for environmentally sustainable leather standards, these revolutionary technologies being a vital next step on our journey to increase the bio-based renewable carbon content of our leather, further cementing our key role in supporting car makers’ environmental targets.
“What’s more, this is only the start. The leather of the future for us is 100% bio-based content, completely chrome-free, heavy-metal-free, aldehyde-free and entirely biodegradable. We are committed to net zero for our operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2025 – ahead of Scotland’s net zero ambitions – and delivering zero waste to landfill by the same year, further fortifying our sustainability pledges.”
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