Bolivian researcher claims good tanning results with plant-based chrome alternatives
29/10/2012
The tests compared results in producing leather from fish skins and bovine hides using the plants with the results of using chrome salts on the same materials.
UMSA academic Emigdia Marina Quispe carried out the tests and published the report, entitled Characterisation and Utilisation of Vegetable Tanning Agents.
She has explained that the plants all have a high level of tannic acid in their bark. She has argued that Bolivia has enough of the three plants in its high Andean plain, dry valley and tropical rainforest regions to be able to run its whole tanning industry without manufactured chemical products.
The university received funding from a government tax on petrol to be able to carry out the study. Emigdia Marina Quispe has said she believes she will be able to find further plants in different parts of Bolivia that can be used for tanning.
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