Whitepapers

Evaluation of (Re)tanning Effect of Leather Chemicals in a Model and a Real System

Smit & Zoon is continuously researching sustainable alternatives to leather testing, for the development of new products. Our scientists examine the use of a model to test new products, in order to save large amounts of leather and avoid the disadvantages of inevitable variations and non-standardised wet-end recipes encountered in regular testing on real leather.

Biopol collection

The Smit & Zoon company developed new range of Biopol products. These are based on the concept of the circular economy. Circular economy focuses on the utilization of renewable sources, waste streams reutilization or smart utilization of low(no)-value biomass side-streams minimizing product environmental footprint.

Emission

Learn about the different ways to measure emission, the origin of emission and what to do to prevent e.g. odour, free formaldehyde, gravimetric fogging, VOC, FOG, etc..

Tightness

Learn about the important aspects when making tight leather, the influence of post-tanning processes and which Smit & zoon products are most suitable for your optimal leather properties.

Softness

Learn about the important aspects when making soft leather, the influence of wet-end processes and which Smit & zoon products are most suitable for your optimal leather properties.

Waterproof leather

Learn about the many different parameters that influence good, waterproof leather. Making leather waterproof contains more than just choosing the right fatliquor (this is actually the easiest part). The key lies in the right processes such as running times, temperature control, washing and polyvalent metal fixing.

Strength Properties

In this SmiTools episode, Smit & zoon shares a synopsis on the topic ‘Strength Properties’. Learn about the different ways to measure leather strength (e.g. tear strength, tensile strength), the causes of strength loss, and remedies to reduced leather strength.

Color Analysis

The SmiTool Light and Heat already discussed the subject of heat yellowing and light fastness tests on leather. The current SmiTool explains the differences between subjective and objective assessments of tested leather and how to report test results for heat yellowing and light fastness.

Simplicity

Making leather is no longer the art it once was. Leather makers now have to comply with such a vast amount of legislation and other regulations that the actual process of producing leather has been effectively sidelined.

Free Formaldehyde

Smit & zoon's share of a synopsis on the topic ‘Free formaldehyde’. Learning about the origin of the chemical, producing formaldehyde free leathers, releasable formaldehyde, testing leather chemicals (ISO 27587) and leather (ISO 17226-1 or VDA 275) on free formaldehyde, etc...

Chrome VI

’Chrome Six’ is a presence in leather and an undesirable effect related to the use of chrome-tanning agents. Since tanning with chrome salts constitutes roughly 80% of the processing technology worldwide, the debate about the risk for its presence is too important to be based on hearsay alone and should, therefore, be based on facts.

Fatty spew

On processed leathers it is sometimes observed that, over time, an undesired, white, milky film appears on top of the leather. This white layer often gives rise to debates on its origin and causes and, in some cases, leads to a claim for damages. This phenomenon is called ‘fatty spew’. The possible sources of fatty spew may be of diverse nature, they are similar in one respect. They always originate from high melting point substances.

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