LEDER CHIMICA, based in Arzignano (Vicenza province), has patented a new unhairing process called DSS and developed an innovative biodegradable tanning product, the SSP3
With DSS and SSP3 at LEDER CHIMICA the future, especially in the “green” field, has already begun. The company from Arzignano (Vicenza), leader in the production of chemical products for leather, destined to different sectors, such as clothing, furniture, footwear, automotive, upholstery and interiors, leatherware, launched DSS and SSP3, respectively an innovative unhairing process and a highly biodegradable tanning agent.
This is a further milestone for the company, founded in 1986 by Gastone Zanconato and now led by his son Michele and grandchildren Enrico and Filippo, who therefore embody the third generation of this beautiful family and entrepreneurial history. Growth in recent years has been constant, also thanks to investments in R&D activities aimed at developing increasingly innovative and environmentally friendly products, a very topical philosophy. Over the last two years, the company has developed a particular liming technology called DSS which, combined with SSP3 tanning, guarantees both high quality and the absence of polluting components. Excellent results were registered from specific biodegradability tests.
“What we have called DSS – explained Filippo Zanconato, whom we interviewed at the headquarters – is a new liming process, for which a patent has been applied for. The purpose of our DSS technology is to unhair the hides through a liming process completely free of lime and sulphides, also eliminating the mantle and the bulb, so to obtain a completely clean surface from the natural pigment of the raw material even in the case of very dark hide colors.
Hence, this process can be used in several final destinations of excellence such as Nubuck, Aniline and Semi- Aniline. Moreover, wastewaters are free from harmful and toxic substances and can therefore be exploited in other sectors.”
How was the DSS process conceived and how did you develop it?
“Similar processes already existed: they consisted of a system through the use of hydrogen peroxide, but this raw material is actually very complicated to manage as it does not remain stable over time and whose use is dangerous for the operator. However, ours is an oxidative process without H202, so there is no danger in use and storage procedures and, above all, it keeps its potential over time. the project, developed in our in-house R&D laboratory, came from the need to design a highly sustainable process and enhance the raw material: as a matter of fact, it boasts an important qualitative advantage as through it the grain is more intact, the hair residues inside the bulb are eliminated as well as the residual pigmentation or blood stains. One of the advantages of this oxidative process, is that the protective effect from molds is prolonged in the storage phase.”
What are the main features in the production process through DSS and what are the environmental benefits?
“This process doesn’t require any need for lime nor sulphide during hair removal – explained Michele – and it also guarantees a wider choice thanks to its much whiter color than the one obtained through an unhairing standard process.
Always, the problem of animal coat has been particularly suffered among the tanneries, especially high-range ones, which are forced to select the raw material based on the final color. Thanks to the DSS process, this problem is solved because the natural pigment is completely eliminated, thus having a raw material suitable for multiple colors.
From the point of view of sustainability, thanks to our process, the use of sulphide and sulfhydrate during hair removal is completely eliminated, also lowering the PPM values in wastewater, thus favoring a much safer work environment, free of bad odors and volatile gases as dangerous as H2S.
Our studies suggest that the waste baths of our process have a high protein content, free from harmful substances and can therefore be exploited in other sectors, without necessarily being destined for the waste water disposal system.”
What are the main prerogatives for those who use the innovations you launched on the market?
“Surely, the advantages in terms of eco-sustainability are the most noteworthy; as mentioned, it is a process that does not make use of sulphides, sulfhydrates or lime. From the qualitative point of view, the DSS reaches very high standards, and guarantees dyeing uniformity on the constellation and on the wrinkle of the leather. Finally, this method also allows a 24-hours process, offering significant production advantages.”
A big news of the last few months are the biodegradability tests for SSP3: what is it about?
“Ledertan SSP3 is a syntan featuring excellent biodegradability properties: different tests performed by certified bodies have confirmed its effectiveness. One of these, the ISO 20200, consists of the recreation of a soil, rich in bacteria and mold, into which a piece of leather treated with SSP3 has been placed. The leather was monitored daily for 20 days, during which it was completely degraded: so fast that it was considered extraordinary.”
What is the reason for this result?
“It is the selection of the right raw materials of the tanning agent: we chose the ones that are most biodegradable, therefore these chemical products are in symbiosis with the environment. Hence the search for the raw material, the type of tanning and the type of tanning product. The process is completed with research into retanning products derived from oils from renewable vegetable sources, without the use of petroleum.”
What was 2021 for LEDER CHEMICA and what do you think of the current market situation?
“It was another difficult year; considering travel limitations, we spent it investing in research, particularly focusing on issues related to ecology and circularity: this allowed us to launch innovative products. What is most worrying is the increase in raw materials, transport and packaging costs, unfortunately there are still no signs of slowing down. All of this is letting the entire supply chain suffering.”
Michele Zanconato, assieme ai due figli Enrico e Filippo
Michele Zanconato, together with his two sons Enrico and Filippo