The invention discloses a method for treating an animal substrate comprising: agitating the moistened animal substrate with a treatment formulation and a solid particulate material in a sealed apparatus wherein the treatment formulation comprises a tanning agent or a tannery process agent. The method can comprise applying the tanning agent or tannery process agent to the animal substrate wherein at least some of the agent so applied originates from the treatment formulation. There is also disclosed an animal substrate obtained by the method. The treatment formulation can be aqueous.

The present invention relates to a process for the tanning of animal hides characterised, compared to currently adopted processes, by the non-adoption of the step known in the industry as pickling. The invention also concerned hides tanned by said process.

A recycling process for achieving near-zero emissions of tannery effluent is characterized in that effluent recycling is carried out independently in soaking, liming, re-liming, de-liming bating, pickling chrome tanning, re-tanning, neutralizing, and dyeing procedures. The effluents in the above procedures can be recycled in each step. This process greatly reduces effluent discharge and helps solve the problem of tanning pollution. The process also improves the quality of the finished leather, effectively decreases loose grain rate and increases compactness and fullness of the finished product. The project can reduce chemical material consumption by 15%-55%. For example, the consumption of chromium powder can be reduced up to 65%. Consumption of other chemical materials can be reduced by more than 90%, while certain chemical materials can be essentially completely conserved.

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 fungal strain Beauveria species bearing accession number MTCC 5184 is disclosed. The process for the preparation of an enzyme mix including at least one enzyme selected from, but not limited to protease, carbohydrase, and lipase from the disclosed Beauveria species and uses of the enzyme mix in various areas also disclosed.

Methods for preparing an animal hide for chrome tanning are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments include treating the hide with a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polysulfide. This treatment facilitates improved removal of hair from the hide. Furthermore, one or more embodiments include various combinations of treating the hide with a third enzyme, a liming agent, a pH-modifying agent, one or more sulfides, and one or more soaking agents. In addition, one or more embodiments include sanitizing the hide and liming the hide to further facilitate the processing of the animal hide into leather.

Methods for preparing an animal hide for chrome tanning are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments include treating the hide with a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polysulfide. This treatment facilitates improved removal of hair from the hide. Furthermore, one or more embodiments include various combinations of treating the hide with a third enzyme, a liming agent, a pH-modifying agent, one or more sulfides, and one or more soaking agents. In addition, one or more embodiments include sanitizing the hide and liming the hide to further facilitate the processing of the animal hide into leather.

Use of probiotic technology to support tanners to reduce waste and increase the value of by-products reducing the need of synthetic chemicals, improving the quality of effluents and reducing the carbon footprint to the environment. Probiotics or beneficial microorganisms are used to obtain biochemicals through a controlled fermentation of natural ingredients. The result of the process is a consortium of metabolites including viable probiotic microorganisms with properties very similar to traditional leather auxiliaries extensively needed during leather production, eliminating or reducing the need for use of toxic chemicals and compositions.

Use of probiotic technology to support tanners to reduce waste and increase the value of by-products reducing the need of synthetic chemicals, improving the quality of effluents and reducing the carbon footprint to the environment. Probiotics or beneficial microorganisms are used to obtain biochemicals through a controlled fermentation of natural ingredients. The result of the process is a consortium of metabolites including viable probiotic microorganisms with properties very similar to traditional leather auxiliaries extensively needed during leather production, eliminating or reducing the need for use of toxic chemicals and compositions.