Life I'M-TAN
(Innovative Modified
Natural Tannins)

EU Tanning Industry in numbers

€ 0 billion
EU tanning industry turnover
0 million sqm
leather manufactured per year
0 %
Italian market share
0 thousand
people employed

how leather is tanned today

Currently, over 85% of the leather produced worldwide is tanned with Cr(III) salts due to its low cost, versatility of use and high quality of finished products. However, Cr(III) can oxidise into toxic and carcinogenic Cr(VI), both in finished leather and in wastewater.

The remaining hides are tanned without chrome salts, using synthetic tannins and aldehydes, that confer to finished leathers inferior physical and mechanical characteristics compared to chrome tanned leathers.

Also in this case, there are some health and environmental issues due to the hazardous substances used or released during the making of the leather and its entire life cycle. Moreover, some of these substances are being classified as more harmful.

Although extremely eco-friendly, natural tannins are suitable for a reduced number of applications and generate high chemical load in wastewater in terms of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), due to the presence of non-tanning Low Molecular Weight Substances (LMWS).

Chrome Tanning Process (CTP)

Good physical and mechanical properties

Heavy metals;
Risks of toxicity and carcinogenicity by Cr(VI).

Syntans / aldehyde Tanning Process (STP)

Chrome-free white leathers

Concern in raw materials;
New hazard classifications.

Natural tannins Tanning Process (NTP)

Bio-based

COD / BOD impact on waste waters by non-tanning substances

the project

LIFE I’M-TAN project aims to validate, on a semi-industrial scale (TRL8), the use of innovative, sustainable Chemically Modified Natural Tannins (CMNT) to produce eco-friendly, high-quality leathers for a wide range of articles, such as footwear, handbags, and leather goods. The project involves a 3 year period, with effective start date on 01/09/2021 and closure scheduled on 31/08/2024.”

main steps

The leather tanning processes using these CMNT will have lower chemical hazards, sustainable costs, reduced waste and improved circularity (recycle/re-use of waste) compared to the conventional processes from based on chrome, synthetic tannins, and aldehydes thanks to:

  • An innovative Ultra-Filtration / Nano-Filtration purification process (UF/NF) will be scaled up to separate Concentrated Purified Natural Tannins (CPNT) from non-tanning Low Molecular Weight Substances (LMWS), starting from most commonly used chestnut and quebracho extracts.
  • A chemical modification of CPNT according to green chemistry principles (bio-based chemicals, zero-waste) to produce the final tanning agent, our CMNT.
  • A new leather making process including these modified natural tannins in order to reach new properties and performances, while turning leather scraps into organic fertilisers.
  • A replication of the LIFE I’M-TAN process in other tanneries around the EU, drawing up a business plan for the market introduction of new products / processes.
  • An analysis of the innovative process impact through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost (LCC), Social Life Cycle Assessment (sLCA), with Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Ecolabel certification to demonstrate the sustainability of the production chain, from natural tannins extraction to leather production and wastewater treatment.

THE GOALS

The results of the I’M-TAN project will be measured according to different parameters linked to circular economy and sustainability principles. This is what we aim to reach:
0 %
chrome salts
0 %
aldehydes and phenols
0 %
natural tannins required for tanning
0 %
recycling of tanning bath
0 %
water consumption
0 %
COD / BOD in wastewater
0 %
recovery of non-tanning LMWS for animal feed
0 %
Recycle of CMNT leathers and scraps

The partners

Silvateam S.p.a
Via Torre, 7
12080 San Michele Mondovì (CN )
Italy

Crossing Srl
Viale della Repubblica 193/B
31100 Treviso (TV)
Italy

Consorzio Aquarno
Via del Bosco, 275
56029 Santa Croce sull’Arno (PI)
Italy

Conceria Incas S.p.a.
Via Enrico Mattei, 11
56022 Castelfranco di Sotto (PI)
Italy

Centro Ricerche per la Chimica Fine Srl
Via Torre, 7
12080 San Michele Mondovì (CN )
Italy

LIFE20 ENV/IT/000759
With the contribution of the LIFE programme of the European Union.
Total Budget: 2,329,658 €, EU Contribution: 1,216,751 €
Start date 01/09/2021; End date 31/08/2024

With the contribution of the LIFE programme of the European Union.