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New technologies can help leather industry in its makeover

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8 years ago

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New technologies can help leather industry in its makeover

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]File photo of a leathery tannery in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photo credit: Bloomberg

By Dr T V Venkateswaran and Jyoti Singh

Central Leather Research Institute develops new Waterless Chrome Tanning Technology to ensure cleaner effluents and better leather quality

New Delhi: Leather industry is on the threshold of a new path. Long vilified as one of the most polluting, it may soon see an image makeover with adoption of new technologies and processes developed by the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) at Chennai.

In conventional tanning processes, only about 60 percent of the material used is absorbed by leather and the balance drains away as effluent causing serious damage to environment. With the new technologies and processes, scientists claim, effluent discharges would be reduced substantially.

Speaking to India Science Wire, CLRI Director Dr B. Chandrasekaran said new technologies and processes would help strike a balance between the need to promote tanning industry and at the same time protect the environment. The new system would be practically waterless in the sense that water needed for tanning would be derived from moisture within the hide itself instead of an external source. Further, the new process requires only about 20 per cent of acids and salts that was needed in the traditional process. Patented additives are mixed instead of lime and water in the conventional drum-tanning method.

Chrome is used extensively in the process of tanning and it had been one of the major causes of environmental concern for the industry. The new ‘Waterless Chrome Tanning Technology’ (WLCT) developed by CLRI requires much less quantity of water as well as chrome. “With much reduced chrome and total dissolved solid load the effluent are much cleaner than the conventional process and the quality of leather thus produced is also found to be better than leather produced using conventional system,” said Dr Chandrasekaran.

Leather industry, he noted, was a job creating sector. “About 3.5 million people are engaged in leather and leather products sector and in the next four to five years, we have an opportunity to enhance this by another 2.5 million. So, soon about 6 million people would be directly and indirectly involved in this industry.”

India contributes seven percent of total hide and skin production to the global market. “In terms of animal population availability, we are at number one in buffalo, number two in goat, number four in sheep. In overall cattle population, India is at the top position,” Dr Chandrasekaran pointed out. India is the second largest footwear and leather garments producer in the world.

A by-product of the meat industry, leather has been in use from ancient times mainly for producing apparels. Today, its use has been diversified into footwear, accessories, handbags, belts and saddle also.

When an animal dies naturally or is slaughtered, its skin is removed and preserved using common salt. It is then sent to tanneries, where the salt is washed off and the hair removed with the help of sodium sulphate and lime. The skins and hides are then subjected to treatment with a wide variety of chemicals. Various pollutants such as chlorides, sulphates and other mineral salts end up in the effluent. “Animal hide is susceptible to decay like any natural organic material. Humans discovered a way to preserve the leather. We may use various chemicals or biological products like fish oil to remove the water from the skin but preserve its texture and integrity,” explained Dr Chandrasekaran who is one of the pioneers in the field of leather research in India.

The conventional process use profuse quantities of water either from fresh surface water source like river or lake or ground water. It requires about fifty litres of water per kilo of skin or hide. As a result, most tanneries were set up on the banks of fresh water that not only led to pollution but also left lesser quantity of water for agriculture and domestic use.

Dr Chandrasekaran obtained his B Tech and M tech from AC College of technology and later PhD in leather technology from Anna University. He specializes in cleaner production technologies, leather education leather product design and development, CAD techniques for leather product design, organizational development consultancy in R &D and organizational excellence.

CLRI is one of the largest training centres for leather-related technologies in the world with total student and training strength of over 300 per year. Dr Chandrasekaran has designed a mechanism for taking additional 250 project interns from various academic institutions in the country. Dr Chandrasekaran has 15 patents to his credit and has been awarded with many national and international awards.

(This article has not been edited by the APNLive staff. It is from an auto-generated syndicated feed provided by the India Science News)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Oppo Reno 15 likely to launch in India soon with upgraded camera and performance features

Oppo is preparing to launch the Reno 15 series in India, focusing on camera improvements, performance stability and a refined design. Here’s what to expect from its pricing and features.

Published

6 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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Oppo is gearing up to introduce its Reno 15 lineup in India, with the series expected to focus heavily on enhanced imaging, performance stability and creator-friendly tools. The smartphone, which has already been launched in China, is anticipated to reach the Indian market in the coming weeks although the company has not yet shared an official date.

Expected price range in India

Industry estimates suggest the standard Oppo Reno 15 will fall in the upper-mid price bracket. While the Reno 15 Pro was launched in China at CNY 3,699 (roughly Rs 46,000), the Reno 15 base model is expected to be more affordable, likely between Rs 32,000 and Rs 38,000, depending on RAM and storage configurations.

Expected features and specifications

The Reno 15 series is expected to highlight Oppo’s improvements in sustained performance, camera capabilities and thermal management. Globally, the models run on ColorOS 16 and feature advanced cooling, particularly aimed at gaming and continuous live-streaming use.

For India, the upcoming Oppo Reno 15 is likely to offer:

  • A high-refresh-rate AMOLED display
  • Triple-camera setup with a primary sensor optimized for better low-light clarity
  • Secondary wide-angle and portrait cameras
  • Front camera with autofocus and AI-led enhancements for live streaming
  • Around 5,000mAh battery with fast wired charging support
  • AI-driven system optimization for smoother long-term performance

Design-wise, it is expected to follow the Reno 15 Pro’s flat-frame style, offering a slim profile, improved durability and brighter display output. With growing demand for creator-focused smartphones in the country, the Reno 15 is being positioned for users interested in mobile photography, vlogging and gaming.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price leak suggests launch similar to S24 FE

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE India price has surfaced online, hinting at a similar launch price as the S24 FE. The phone brings a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 2400 chip, triple rear cameras, and a 4,900mAh battery.

Published

3 months ago

on

September 11, 2025

By

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, which was unveiled globally on September 4, is yet to receive official pricing for the Indian market. However, a fresh leak indicates that the handset could debut in India at the same price point as its predecessor, the Galaxy S24 FE.

Expected price and availability in India

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may be priced at ₹59,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant in India. This matches the launch price of last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, which started at ₹59,999 for the same configuration. The higher 8GB RAM + 256GB model of the S24 FE was earlier priced at ₹65,999.

Globally, the Galaxy S25 FE has been introduced at $650 (around ₹58,000) for the base variant and $710 (around ₹63,000) for the 8GB + 256GB version. In India, the smartphone is expected to go on sale in October, similar to last year’s rollout schedule for the S24 FE.

The phone is offered in Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White colour options.

Key specifications

  • Display: 6.7-inch full-HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,900 nits peak brightness, Vision Booster, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
  • Processor: Exynos 2400 SoC.
  • RAM & Storage: 8GB RAM standard, up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage.
  • Rear Cameras: 50MP wide-angle + 8MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide; 8K video recording at 30fps.
  • Front Camera: 12MP selfie shooter.
  • Battery: 4,900mAh with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
  • Build: 7.4mm thick, 190g weight, IP68-rated water and dust resistance.
  • Cooling: 10% larger vapour chamber compared to the Galaxy S24 FE.

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iPhone 17 series launched in India: Price starts at Rs 82,900, goes up to Rs 2.29 lakh

Apple has launched the iPhone 17 series in India with prices starting at Rs 82,900. Pre-booking begins on 12 September, and the phones will be available from 19 September.

Published

3 months ago

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September 10, 2025

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iphone 17

Apple has officially launched its much-awaited iPhone 17 series in India, introducing four models – iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The series comes with advanced features, multiple storage variants, and a starting price of Rs 82,900. Pre-bookings will open from 12 September, while sales begin on 19 September.

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air price in India

The standard iPhone 17 is priced at Rs 82,900 for the 256GB base variant. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air, designed with a slimmer and more premium look, starts at Rs 1,19,900.

Key features of iPhone 17

  • Display: 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, up to 3000 nits brightness with Ceramic Shield 2 protection.
  • Camera: Dual 48MP setup (Fusion main + Ultra Wide) with 2X telephoto capability, along with a new Centre Stage front camera.
  • Performance: Powered by the A19 chipset, runs on iOS 26, 40% faster than iPhone 16.
  • Battery: Up to 8 hours longer backup compared to its predecessor.

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max price in India

The premium segment begins with iPhone 17 Pro priced at Rs 1,34,900, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900. The top-end Pro Max with the highest storage option goes up to Rs 2,29,900. These models are available in Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue, and Silver colours.

Key features of Pro models

  • Display: iPhone 17 Pro with 6.3-inch and Pro Max with 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, both featuring 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits brightness.
  • Chipset: New A19 Pro with Vapour Chamber Cooling for heavy usage.
  • Camera: Triple 48MP system including an advanced telephoto lens with 8X optical zoom and 40X digital zoom, plus an 18MP front camera.
  • Battery & Charging: Best-ever battery backup on Pro Max, with USB-C fast charging – 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

Why the iPhone 17 series stands out

The new iPhones not only bring improved design and performance but also integrate Apple Intelligence AI features for messaging, calls and visual tools.

Offers and EMI options

  • No-cost EMI: Available for up to 6 months.
  • Cashback: ICICI Bank users can avail up to Rs 5,000 instant cashback.
  • For instance, buying the iPhone 17 Pro Max (Rs 1,49,900) on a 6-month no-cost EMI plan brings effective savings of Rs 11,525, including cashback and EMI benefits.

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