BLC Leather Technology Centre is assisting in bringing a modern tannery from concept to life in the Middle East, according to J. Avery, company’s process consultant and project manager.

The UAE has long been without a leather-making industry. Established tanning companies became extinct after failing to embrace the modern attitude to industry and commerce, established towards the end of the last century, and the utilisation of hides reached an all time low. As a result, there is no company in the country producing camel leather today.

With strong meat industry in camels, cattle, sheep and goats, the opportunity to work a ‘waste’ material into a highly valued product has finally been identified. A feasibility study has predicted a suitable return on investment costs. To ensure quality and consistency of productive output the use of best modern technology has become a priority and effluent and waste treatment issues will be in place to ensure stability and sustainability for a new company. With all this in mind, the Al Khaznah Tannery Project was born.

BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd, UK, has been selected as the main process consultant. BLC has provided supervision and advice on all aspects of the process, machines, methods and products.  This responsibility extends to systems, processes and training of key personnel. During the first year of factory operation the company's consultants will work with the tannery team to ensure plans are achieved and fine tune the processes and products to meet local, national and export demands.

The tannery is to convert raw hides and skins to finished leather. It will be equipped with strong process control methods and automation to save labour and ensure consistency and quality of product. The facility will be fully air-conditioned and high quality staff are to be employed. Although a nearby abattoir will be the main hide supplier, the refrigerated transport system will bring additional raw material from other slaughterhouses in far-flung districts. BLC will also supervise the installation of equipment, testing, pilot running and start-up production in association with the local team.  The start-up date of October 2004 has been set.

The Al Khaznah Tannery will offer a range of shoe and leather goods products to both local and export markets.  It is designed to work a mix of camel and bovine hides as well as the available indigenous small skins.  There will be four distinct product lines: camel, bovine, goat and sheep, totalling a daily input of 500 hides and 1500 skins.

Dr Abbas Elansari, Project Manager said “The tannery will be a showcase facility, an example to the region of how to use up-to-date technology to make the best products possible." By the end of 2004 the UAE is hoped to become a strong centre for leather manufacture.

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