Cartigliano: the revolution is here! The new leather drying line: Metal-Free and vegetable tanning!
“Officine di Cartigliano SpA is ready for the transition towards sustainability and for the challenges set by the EU 2030 agenda for sustainable development,” stated Antonio “Toni” Polato, President of the Veneto-based company that, last fall, took part in the Tanning Tech Exhibition at the Fieramilano-Rho fairgrounds as well as in ProssimaPelle event in Arzignano.
“The circular economy,” explained Polato, “becomes an integral part of the company, right from the components purchase/supplying phase, a pivotal moment for the manufacturing of technologies, up to the post-sales assistance. Our ongoing, daily challenge lies in reviewing the machinery production process, in decreasing waste, and in complying with a lean philosophy. The ability to be competitive market-wise and to grasp in advance the demands of our customers has always been one of our distinctive traits. The constant research and collaboration with the most prominent enterprises in the automotive leather processing sector. Cartigliano has developed a drying line for crust, able to dry chrome-free leathers. Over the last couple of years, in the R&D department, the operational division and beating heart of the firm, new technologies have been designed and gradually upgraded. Hence, a new range of systems conceived to dry leathers processed with the most innovative, vegetable-based tanning techniques (olive, coffee, and so on), future/challenge of the automotive field. We had to “reinvent” drying operations in order to deal with such delicate materials, a feat resulting in the development of two brand-new Vacuum systems: NeroRapido, for the elimination of approximately 40% of moisture, then followed by New Radio Frequency, able to pull out water from deep inside the leather.
What can you tell us about Cartigliano’s commitment?
“The mission lies in highlighting, thanks to the new Vacuum dryer, the natural features of leather, by using extremely low process temperatures, never exceeding 22/23°C. NeroRapido’s technology stands out for the significant amount of water pulled out in a short time, while keeping top-notch productivity levels. With these new technologies, leather comes out featuring a low level of residual moisture (20%-25%). At the same time, it acquires an excellent flatness and full grain, it does not shrink and fat wrinkles are fully smoothed, both to the touch and visually. The result is an evenly dried, yet full-grained and round crust. At this point, leather is ready for the removal of the innermost moisture, an operation carried out with a Radio Frequency system. RF drying has utterly changed the natural leather drying procedures by helping evaporate the water placed deep inside leather. This technique becomes effective only when there is water in the interfibrillar spaces. It manages to dry leather, while leaving it soft to the touch and with the same level of moisture throughout the internal and external surface. With these systems, Cartigliano has fully optimized the cutting area and it has paid close attention to electricity consumption reduction: almost one third compared to other drying units. Therefore, Cartigliano has completely transformed leather drying…but research never stops and it is time for new challenges!”
