A method for processing skin, the method comprising freezing of the skin before freeze-drying this, freeze-drying of the skin and application of an impregnation material into the freeze-dried skin.

A method for processing skin, the method comprising freezing of the skin before freeze-drying this, freeze-drying of the skin and application of an impregnation material into the freeze-dried skin.

A process for preserving raw/fresh hides and skins is disclosed. In one embodiment, the hides and skins are treated with an antimicrobial composition containing a carbonate and/or bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation. Alternatively, the antimicrobial composition contains a halide salt of a quaternary ammonium cation in combination with a second antimicrobial agent which may comprise a polyhexamethylene biguanide. The compositions are capable of preventing microbial degradation of the raw skins and hides for significant periods of time, such as greater than 48 hours.