Application of Indigenous Plant-Based Vegetable Tanning Agent Extracted from Xylocarpus granatum in Semi-Chrome and Chrome Retanned Leather Production

Environmental issues are nowadays the prime concern worldwide for leather industries due to chrome containing solid and liquid wastes generated from the tannery. Therefore, experts are being encouraged in exploring alternative tanning agents. This study aimed at applying a novel vegetable tanning agent extracted from Xylocarpus granatum barks for the production of semi-chrome (SC) and chrome retanned (CR) leathers to reduce chromium use. Characterization of the SC and CR leathers was performed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which revealed prominent tanning activity of the extracted tannins. The tanned leathers exhibited shrinkage temperatures of 112 degrees C for SC and 103 degrees C for CR leathers. The physicomechanical properties were found as tensile strength >230 kg/cm(2), tear strength >30 kg/cm, grain cracking load >20 kg, distention at grain crack >7 mm, ball bursting load >38 kg, and distention at ball bursting >12mm that was comparatively acceptable according to UNIDO standard for shoe upper leathers.