Cashew nuts provide tannins for leather in Tanzania
A materials scientist who has founded a company to develop tannins from waste from the cashew sector in Tanzania has also set up a non-governmental organisation to encourage girls to pursue science careers.
Dr Cecilia China undertook an African Development Bank-financed higher education programme at Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, and has since launched the AfriTech Organic Leather Company.
She said: “I found that almost 96% of people working in cashew processing are women. If we use cashew waste for leather processing, women can earn income by collecting and supplying that waste. We are creating a new industry that did not exist before.”
Image: Dr China says non-toxic tannins developed from agricultural waste can produce quality leather that won’t harm the environment and add value to the sector.
Credit: African Development Bank
