Striding towards self-sustainability using aluminium from Tanzanian Kaolin for combination tanning system

Abstract

Sustainability is a key factor which controls future leather manufacture. Developing several new technologies is one of the primary agendas for sustainability. However, developing countries are facing several challenges which not only limited to best practice technologies but also finding self-sustainability in maximizing the available resources. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the potential resource of aluminium sulphate from kaolin of Pugu hills, Tanzania for combination tanning. Though, extraction of aluminium sulphate from several resources are available, there is limited literature pertaining to Tanzania resources. Therefore, aluminium sulphate extracted from kaolin was basified and studied for its tanning efficiency. Diffraction and vibrational spectroscopic studies were carried out to assess the confirmation of extracted aluminium. Combination tanning has been carried out with vegetable tannins, which are from natural resources. Leathers tanned with aluminium sulphate and mimosa resulted with a hydrothermal stability temperature beyond 100℃ as compared to vegetable tannin alone showed 78℃. Physical strength characteristics met the standard norms. Fiber separation was good, which has been confirmed through microscopic studies. The study provides a new insight on accomplishing self-sustainability through available resources and manufacture eco-friendly system,