Our experience and ambition have fueled our knowledge database. Browse through our articles or search a specific topic. What are you looking for? Our topicsBiodegradability Chemicals & substances Finishing Leather Renewability Sustainability Tanning The leather industry Wet EndLeather is the largest application of collagen where typical tanning chemistries include metal salts, polyphenolics and aldehydes. A new type of material that is gaining industrial significance is based on a composite of collagen and zeolite in the area of sustainable leather manufacture. This approach utilises simple, abundant, and benign chemistry, which provides leather with the physical properties needed for a range of possible applications.In this research article, published in the journal Green Chemistry, scientists from University of Northampton, Royal Smit & Zoon and NZ Leather Research, give a deeper insight on modified zeolites (Zeology) as a versatile and sustainable means to move away from established tanning methods. “A new material gaining industrial significance for sustainable leather is based on a composite of collagen and zeolite. The zeolite forms a 3D network structure covering collagen fibres, improving protein stability and creating material strength.” – Green ChemistryThe article is written by:William Wise, University of Northampton, Institute for Creative Leather TechnologiesStefan Davis, University of Northampton Institute for Creative Leather TechnologiesWouter Hendriksen, Royal Smit and ZoonDirick Von Behr, Royal Smit & ZoonSujay Prabakar, NZ Leather ResearchYi Zhang, NZ Leather ResearchMore information about tanning with Zeology