A composition including an acetal of an aldehydic tanning agent for tanning hides and/or pelts, as well as a method for tanning hides and/or pelts in order to produce leather, wherein an acetal of an aldehydic tanning agent is used. By reducing the pH, the aldehydic tanning agent can be released, whereby a tanning step is initiated. The composition and the method are characterized by lower toxicity compared to conventional compositions and tanning methods based on aldehydic tanning agents. Furthermore, improved penetration of the tanning agents into deeper layers of the hide and/or the pelt is possible, so that particularly homogeneous tanning is achieved.

Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.

Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.

Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.

Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.

A process for obtaining a tannin extract isolated from whole grape seeds is provided. The process is performed in as a one-pot reaction and in a single extraction step, wherein the seeds are processed without grinding or milling. Also provided is a tannin extract with improved antioxidant and light fastness properties obtained from whole grape seeds that includes a mixture of tannins and non-tannins, in which the content of tannins or polyphenols is higher than 50%. Ise, the tannin extract isolated from whole grape seeds can include a coloring agent.

A process for obtaining a tannin extract isolated from whole grape seeds is provided. The process is performed in as a one-pot reaction and in a single extraction step, wherein the seeds are processed without grinding or milling. Also provided is a tannin extract with improved antioxidant and light fastness properties obtained from whole grape seeds that includes a mixture of tannins and non-tannins, in which the content of tannins or polyphenols is higher than 50%. Ise, the tannin extract isolated from whole grape seeds can include a coloring agent.

The subject invention provides environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for enhancing production of textiles and leather. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise incorporating the application of a biological amphiphilic molecule into a textile or leather-making process to reduce chemical usage, reduce water usage, reduce water pollution and/or provide an added benefit to the process. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise substituting a chemical surfactant with a biological amphiphilic molecule in one or more steps involved in textile or leather-making process that would traditionally utilize a chemical surfactant.

A method is provided for producing sustainable leather using by-products from parts of all varieties and species of the plant genus Persea including among them both the American species and the Hass variety. A hide or leather may be produced by the method, and a method is provided for producing the natural tanning agents used in the method to produce sustainable leather and the natural tanning agents produced by the method.

The invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the treatment of animal skin substrates which employs a multiplicity of solid particles. There is disclosed an apparatus for treating one or more animal skin substrates with a multiplicity of solid particles and treatment liquor comprising: a rotatably mounted drum comprising an internal volume having a first portion defining a treatment volume for retaining said animal substrates and a second portion defining a collecting volume; one or more inlets for introducing solid particles and treatment liquor into said treatment volume; a partition separating said treatment volume from said collecting volume wherein said partition allows free passage of solid particles from the treatment volume to the collecting volume and prevents the passage of the substrates therethrough; a circulation path for conveying said solid particles from the collecting volume to the treatment volume; and a pumping device arranged to pump solid particles and said treatment liquor along a portion of said circulation path.