Leather Tanning for Operational Efficiency
Tanning leather for operational efficiency involves a complex set of techniques that transform green hides into a durable, versatile and noble material.
At Durli, there is no doubt that the search for improvement is constant, and always with a view to optimizing the production of its customers in the following processes.
The high technology present in leather tanning is fundamental to defining the efficiency and competitiveness of the end product in segments as diverse as the automotive, furniture and footwear and artifacts industries, for which it is extremely important to keep up with trends and advances in the leather industry.
Although leather manufacturing has been based on traditionally accepted tanning methods for centuries, the market and civil society are making new demands. Today, leather production is increasingly incorporating processes that are environmentally, economically and socially correct.
This article deals precisely with Durli's response to the growing demands of leather product manufacturers and consumers, adding value to every delivery through the excellence of its wet blue, semi-finished and finished leathers.
At the same time, operational efficiency means optimizing productivity, improving quality and increasing profitability in every detail of the operation.
Thus, by implementing modern leather tanning processes for operational efficiency, meeting the technical specifications of each customer, Durli has positioned itself as a global leather supplier, meeting the highest standards in the North American, European and Asian markets.
Leather Tanning for Operational Efficiency: The Starting Point is the Farms
Indeed, responsible sourcing of the raw material is the starting point for excellence in all subsequent stages throughout the leather tanning process for superior operational efficiency.
The raw materials at Durli Leathers come from top-level slaughterhouses , with SIF - Federal Inspection Service - certificates, in environmental compliance and with excellent quality, intact, without fire marks or other irregularities.
To do this, Durli Leathers uses a geomonitoring system that checks compliance with socio-environmental criteria and ethical standards on a daily basis, using satellite images, from slaughterhouses suppliers and direct and indirect farms.
At the same time, Durli is combining geomonitoring with a pioneering traceability system from the farms of origin.
Traceability also allows for the supply of better quality hides, and good production practices - which prioritize sustainability and the preservation of the environment - contribute to improving the competitive advantage of all the players in the leather value chain.
And in this way Durli reinforces the transparency of all its processes, allowing the end customer to have access to all the information about the leather they are purchasing through thecode on each piece .
In fact, individual traceability and geomonitoring require strategic partnerships for industry and the market to work together, creating products with added value and strengthening the image of the brands involved by preserving the environment and providing deforestation-free leather.
Logistics made easy
Logistical complexity is one of the major challenges in the management of the leather supply chain, with the potential to harm companies' operational efficiency and expose them to serious risks in the face of fierce global competition.
Therefore, the high quality standards in leather tanning for operational efficiency must be extended to logistics processes so that deadlines are met, transportation is fast and packaging is safe.
At Durli, the following factors reinforce the effectiveness of its logistics:
- 9 units - 8 in Brazil and one in Paraguay - close to the largest agricultural hubs;
- Robust, reliable structure with standardized tanning processes;
- Own transportation of raw materials, providing safe and fast deliveries;
- Excellence in production and availability of standardized leathers in large quantities;
- Products carefully packaged and prepared for distribution;
- Agile delivery with punctual shipments;
- Individualized service, highly qualified support to facilitate processes and organize all the documentation needed for export.
Taken together, these factors optimize the cost-benefit ratio for our customers, who can offer their own market quality products with agility and sustainability.
Leather Tanning for Operational Efficiency: Modern Machines and Products, Trained Operators
To guarantee the quality of the product it delivers to its customers, Durli invests heavily in research and modern machinery and equipment.
Likewise, employees are constantly updated with the latest techniques, complying with all safety regulations. Improvement and refinement are the basic guidelines that characterize Durli's operations.
In order to maintain constant, high-quality production, Durli has a routine and preventive maintenance program, allowing for better control at all stages of leather tanning.
Standardized Chemicals
At Durli, theprocesses are exhaustively controlled, such as: measuring temperature, pH, baumé, crossings and resistance to boiling, by tanning operators who are constantly trained and updated.
Specifically, a formula with a satisfactory chromium content is always within the legally permitted range.
In its tanning processes, Durli uses multi-action drums - equipment programmed to reduce the use of water and improve the absorption and distribution of chemical products.
Attention to all these details contributes greatly to creating leathers to a standard that will satisfy our customers' strict criteria.
Wet Blue and Semi-finished
The wet blue and semi-finished leather is produced by Durli in accordance with global standards - American, European and Asian.
When grading leathers, their measurements are taken using modern, high-precision equipment that allows us to obtain accurate and precise measurements.
According to these standards, leather is classified as TR1, TR2, TR3, TR4 and Eco, perfectly customized according to the needs of each client.
Finally, each batch is tested in our laboratories in accordance with ISO, ASTM and SAE J.
Certifications
The leather tanning process is subject to strict regulations. Durli Leathers 's firm commitment to these regulations to guarantee the safety of the workers involved in the process, environmental compliance and sustainability practices is recognized worldwide through certifications such as ISO 9001 and the LWG (Leather Working Group) gold rating for all its units.
Leather Tanning for Operational Efficiency is also ESG
According to the Is it leather website, in its article " Can leather become truly sustainable?", "Technology plays a crucial role in the production of sustainable leather, offering solutions to reduce the industry's environmental impact, creating new business opportunities, including the use of leather chemicals aligned with the preservation of the environment".
In other words, the principles expressed in the acronym ESG - environmental, social and governance - applied to the leather industry are factors that managers who are aware of their responsibilities with regard to preserving nature, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change will not give up.
In this sense, the significant figures presented by Durli express unequivocally how the efficient and responsible use of water and energy at all stages results in the most efficient leather tanning process:
- 80% reduction in the volume of water used in industrial processes, 35% through recycling and 45% with the introduction of more modern processes and equipment;
- Increase in the energy efficiency of equipment by 25%;
- 25% increase in the production of leather with multi-action drums with shovels ;
- 30% reduction in energy consumption in the effluent treatment process.
Durli's leather production is eco-friendly, i.e. free from deforestation, with efficient use of water and energy, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and complete treatment of effluents and waste.
Durli Leathers Add Value to Your Customers' Products
Due to the high performance of its leathers, Durli enables operational efficiency in its customers' processes by offering consistent and stable leathers for subsequent processes, with maximum cutting utilization and large standardized volumes. This, combined with agile logistics, allows for faster production, minimizing waiting times and following the production plan on schedule, resulting in quality products on time.
Durli leathers are therefore well suited to customers' end products in sectors such as the automotive, furniture, footwear, accessories and artifacts industries in general, adding value to the final product.
The concept of leather tanning for operational efficiency is fully realized in the customization of its parts to meet the specific needs of each industry.
Automotive industry
Consumers of luxury cars seek the pleasant touch and comfort that leather provides, evoking reliability, timeless beauty and also a sensory value, as this noble material arouses positive feelings of warmth and welcome to the touch and even to the smell.
For this industry, Durli offers a differentiated leather treatment to ensure a long service life, considering the constant use and exposure to temperature variations, requiring high resistance.
In particular, the consistency and stability of Durli automotive semi-finished leather is the answer to this demand.
The automotive industry benefits from the following Durli products:
- Semi-finished leather: high quality specifications and grades from the most diverse raw material origins: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, USA;
- Bio-Leather semi-finished leather: full grain and sanded ABCD grades.
Furniture Industry
The durability inherent in leather is essential for making furniture that can withstand time and daily use, whether for homes, offices, upholstery or coverings.
When it comes to furniture leather, Durli Leathers offers full-grain leathers as well as split leathers, with proven and superior quality, tailored to each customer's needs, be it in terms of weight, grade or desired split thickness.
- Full grain wet blue leather in specifications and grades TR1 to TR4 and Eco;
- Split wet blue leather, whole and half, grades from TR1 to TR4 and Eco;
- Semi-finished leather also from the most diverse raw material origins: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and the USA.
Footwear and Artifacts Industry
Items such as shoes, bags and other leather goods require flexibility, suppleness and resistance without sacrificing beauty, always in line with fashion trends.
For this sector, Durli offers
- Full-grain wet blue leather ABCDE classes;
- Full and half-grain ABCDE wet blue leather and customized thicknesses;
- Semi-finished leather with high quality specifications and grades and sourced in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and the USA;
- Finished leather customized according to specific projects.
In conclusion, with its leather tanning processes for operational efficiency, Durli adds value to the leather production chain itself, fostering partnerships and promoting actions aimed at developing sustainable and environmentally compliant solutions for the sector.
The Future of Leather Tanning
The article " Sustainability of the leather tanning industry - Progress and potential" on the Is it leather? website states:
"The evolution of the leather tanning industry from ancient practices to modern sustainable methods shows humanity's adaptability and commitment to the environment.
As the world faces growing environmental challenges, the industry's role in leading sustainable practices becomes even more critical. Collaboration between industry stakeholders, consumers and global initiatives is the driving force behind this transformation."
Durli Leathers actively participates in this process and can bring wet blue, semi-finished and finished leathers, produced with the high technology of its leather tanning processes for operational efficiency, to your company as well.
For more information, please contact Durli Leathers.
Sources and references used:
https://isitleather.com/blog/sustainable-eco-friendly-leather-industry-future/
https://isitleather.com/blog/sustainability-leather-tanning-industry-progress-potential/