Chemical developments leading to cleaner production: Part 1: Beamhouse and chrome tanning operations

摘要

Over the past few decades, increasing importance has been attached, by all branches of industry worldwide, to the ecology, alongside economic and quality considerations. The leather industry is no exception. The relationship between price and quality used to be the dominant consideration in times of rapid industrialisation, but consumers and manufacturers have since become much more conscious of health, safety and environmental protection issues. This is reflected in the volume of national legislation that has been passed, the business policy of companies, and the opinions and behaviour of customers. Many different approaches to making production processes in the leather industry more environmentally friendly have been suggested, and have been put into practice. The main goals are to avoid waste, reduce the amount of waste generated, and dispose of waste by suitable methods. The initial effect of pursuing these aims was an increase in costs, and production was often relocated to other regions if the legal requirements in a specific country could not be met.