EUBCE 2024 - Alberto VICO LÓPEZ - Assessment of the Biodegradability and Composting Compatibility of Finished Leathers

Assessment of the Biodegradability and Composting Compatibility of Finished Leathers

Short Introductive summary

The leather and footwear industries are undergoing a comprehensive transformation process to address the challenges posed by the green and digital transition required by European Union policies within the framework of the European Green Deal. The use of chromium III salts as stabilising agents is a common practice, employed by more than 80% of the global leather industry. In this regard, various strategies have been implemented, such as developing certain types of leather through more environmentally sustainable tanning processes, free from heavy metals or based on zeolites, which are highly biodegradable, aiming to reduce their environmental footprint as waste at the end-of-life phase. . However, the influence of the chemical nature of finishing ingredients on the biodegradability and compostability viability of leather. To study the effect on the biodegradation of several leather finishing ingredients applied to leather samples, two biodegradation and composting procedures have been implemented at a laboratory scale, following the standards for biodegradation in liquid media ISO 20136:2020, specific to leather, and biodegradation in compost, ISO 14855:2013, for plastic polymers.

A. Vico López, INESCOP, Elda, SPAIN
M. I. Maestre López, INESCOP, Elda, SPAIN
M. Bertazzo, INESCOP, Elda, SPAIN
P. Arán-Ais, INESCOP, Elda, SPAIN
E. Orgilés-Calpena, INESCOP, Elda, SPAIN