MoU with CLRI infuses hope for resurgence of leather industry

A Memorandum of Understanding that the Erode Tannery Owners’ Association has signed with Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) for technology-infusion to contain pollution holds promise for reviving the industry on the wane.

The new waterless chrome tanning technology has already been trial tested in a few industries in Erode district and once product validation is made by overseas buyers, all the 30 leather units in the district will implement the technology, the association has assured.

The MoU signed by CLRI Director B. Chandrasekaran and Association president Mohamed Hyder on Sunday would pave way for adoption of the breakthrough technology for safeguarding water bodies from pollution caused by toxic effluent containing chromium and sulphates.

There will be no discharge of waste water and the quality of product was comparable to chrome-tanned leather, Dr. Chandrasekaran said, expressing readiness of CLRI to establish a common facility centre for the units with aid from the Ministry of Mirco, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Central Government aims to raise export revenue from leather to $ 27 billion by 2020 from the existing $ 12.5 billion, he said. The CLRI had applied to patent the technology in 2014.

According to CLRI scientists, there will be enormous saving of water through the technology, since 50 litres of water was hitherto utilised to treat one kg. of animal skin and hide. The new technology using a conventional drum-tanning method involves utilising the patented additives instead of lime and water, thereby resulting in the saving of water and reduction in solid waste.

Closure

“We are keen to adopt green technology rather than clean-up approach,” KKSK Rafiq, Managing Director of KKSK Hides Pvt. Ltd., and former Chairman of CII Erode Zone, said.

Closure of several units had become inevitable due to stringent enforcement of pollution control norms.