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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #111026
Title: VALUABLE PRODUCTS FROM TANNERY WASTE

Author
item KOLOMAZNIK, KARL - TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BRNO
item Taylor, Maryann
item KUPEC, J - TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY BRNO

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The viability of enzymatic processing of chrome shavings has been demonstrated in a plant in the Czech Republic in which three metric tons of shavings are treated daily. The advantage of the enzymatic reaction, which takes place under mild reaction conditions, is the production of not only protein hydrolyzates of relatively good quality and but also of a recyclable chrome sludge. The quality of both products is improved by the use of organic bases in the alkaline treatment. The successful development of the processing technology must also be accompanied by identifying uses for the resulting products. With respect to commercial applications for the protein, we have found that the greatest percentage could be used in agriculture. Hydrolyzate, as an organic nitrogenous fertilizer, not only equals combined urea-ammonium nitrate commercial fertilizers in crop yield but surpasses it many times in foodstuff value of consumer's greens and also in low nitrate content, which is as much as 200 times lower than the average. Furthermore, hydrolyzate is being used in the manufacture of biodegradable foil, especially for the production of sowing tapes for seeds. Applications for protein hydrolyzate in the building industry are also showing great potential. Thus, the treatment and utilization of these chromium-containing leather wastes can significantly reduce the need to landfill these waste products.