Wet Blue Enzymatic Treatment and Its Effect on Leather Properties and Post-Tanning Processes

Abstract

Due to their variety, specific activity, and mild reaction conditions, enzymes have a wide application in beam house processes such as soaking, dehairing, bating, and de-greasing. Recently, due to improvements in biotechnology, re-bating after chroming has received increased attention. The aim of this work was to investigate the application of enzyme preparation in the re-bating process and its effect on the semifinished and finished product, as well as its influence on post-tanning operations. The enzymatic treatment of chromed semifinished leather (wet blue) led to a higher shrinkage temperature (1–6 °C), greater water vapour absorption (0.3–5.5%), better chromium compounds exhaustion during re-chroming (4–21%), and better dye penetration. Moreover, collagen was affected during the enzymatic process; the results showed a greater concentration influence in the operation compared to the process time. On the other hand, no effect on the physical and mechanical properties and fat-liquoring process was observed. Overall, these results indicate that some properties and processes are improved; however, before use for re-bating, every enzyme should be carefully investigated.