CHEMICAL PROCESSING OF CHROMIUM-CONTAINING TANNED LEATHER WASTE
This study explores the possibility of obtaining a collagen-containing solution from chromium-containing leather waste in an
environmentally safe and economically efficient manner. Dechroming of leather scraps was carried out using various acids,
followed by the production of collagen hydrolysate through alkaline hydrolysis. Citric acid was identified as the most effective
reagent for removing chromium, whereas the best collagen recovery was observed when ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was used.
The optimal ratio of solution mass to leather scrap mass was found to be 1:(5-10); at a ratio of 1:(15-20), a sharp decrease in product
density and concentration was observed. Thus, it was concluded that dechroming scraps with citric acid at concentrations up to 9%,
followed by hydrolysis in a 2-3% KOH solution, represents the most effective technological conditions for obtaining a collagen-
containing solution.
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