The central theme of the event was to find a way to make the tanning process sustainable and optimising through the development of practices, innovation and a”revolution”, as indicated by Anthony Covington, a professor at the University of Northampton. As scheduled, several interventions focused on the strengths of the existing methods of tanning. Reviews the traditional chromium salts, the best ever stabilising the collagen matrix according to Dietrich Tegtmeyer (Lanxess) and the latest technologies, such as the extract of olive leaves, by Heinz-Peter Germann German LGR (Lederinstitut Gerberschule Reutlingen) as a highly sustainable alternative that does not penalise the quality of the produced leather. Also, several technologies were presented to make more efficient the tanning process with a view of the circular economy, the innovative recovery mode, and waste recycling, alternative techniques for treating air emissions. The focus then was on environmental sustainability, an area where the hosts say there are already cutting edge initiatives as “Zero Wastewater Discharge” which aims to minimise the impact caused by discharges in water resulting from its production facilities. The calendar of conferences IULTCS is renewed with the appointment in 2019 in Dresden (Germany), followed by another of 2021, organised by COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern), in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The executive committee of IULTCS will also appoint soon a new president, who will take the place of the outgoing Dietrich Tegtmeyer. According to the press, it will be a Taiwanese.
TRENDING
