According to the director of the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Dr Shahjahan Baig, Pakistan has developed an environmentally-friendly biotechnology for the local leather and detergent industry. The industrial enzyme, protease, should reduce the harmful effects caused by tanning chemicals by 40% as well as helping to limit energy consumption.

The three-year project to develop protease was assigned to PCSIR by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The first phase was completed over two years at a cost of PRs10 million ($164,690) and the second phase will cost a further PRs25 million.

Protease is produced by growing microbes in a reactor within a controlled atmosphere using low-cost agricultural waste such as rice, wheat and maize stalks as raw materials. 70% of the machinery used in the process is made locally.