US tannery to launch 'EcoHides'
Danfield, the only leather finishing plant left operating in the western United States, is claiming to have developed "the first 100% environmentally conscious method for processing leather".
The result is EcoHides, a range of soft, pliable leathers that contain only natural colourants, vegetable dyes and waxes and that Danfield claims it has manufactured without harming the environment. EcoHides uses no minerals or metals during the tanning process, but only vegetable tanning agents, derived in this case from sustainable, farm-grown mimosa trees.
The company is preparing to showcase EcoHides at several trade shows in the US in the coming months. It says the range will be available in a variety of in-stock or custom colours and finishes "with very short lead times".
The idea came from Vahe Imasdounian, a third-generation tanner and the owner of Danfield. He said on announcing the development: "If everyone did their small part we can make a difference in deterring global warming and EcoHides is our contribution. Think globally and act locally is not just a catchy line for us, it’s a commitment. That is why we’ve created a new product line conscious of how we affect the environment."
A.G. Anvari, technical director and chemist, added: "Danfield is a pioneer in the field of eco-friendly leather products. The EcoHides method has reduced our volatile organic compounds emissions to nearly zero while the air quality management is above-standards."
Danfield, Inc. is making its plant environmentally friendly by reducing energy use, by recycling 30% of the water used to treat the hides, using compact, single-line machinery with a digitally controlled system that produces minimum waste and recycling all office waste. Mr Imasdounian has future plans to implement solar and steam energy to be more efficient and reduce Danfield’s carbon footprint.
