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New technologies can help leather industry in its makeover

Published

7 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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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max: A comparative look at prices and specs in India

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4 days ago

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January 23, 2025

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with car crash detection feature

Samsung has introduced its latest high-end flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, in India, igniting a new chapter in its ongoing rivalry with Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Both phones represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, but they come at distinct price points and offer different specifications that cater to various user preferences.

Price comparison in India

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is available in three variants: the base model with 256GB of storage is priced at Rs 1,29,999; the 512GB model at Rs 1,49,999; and the 1TB version at Rs 1,65,999. These variants are offered in four color options: Titanium Silver Blue, Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Black.

In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,44,900 for the 256GB model, with the 512GB and 1TB versions priced at Rs 1,64,900 and Rs 1,84,900, respectively. Samsung’s offerings are notably less expensive across similar storage options, with the 1TB model being nearly Rs 19,000 cheaper than its Apple counterpart.

Specifications face-off

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch display, slightly larger than its predecessor, and features a more contemporary design with rounded edges. Despite its larger size, it maintains a lightweight feel at only 218 grams and includes a robust 5,000mAh battery. The camera setup has been significantly upgraded, featuring a 200-megapixel primary sensor paired with a 50-megapixel ultra-wide and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, enhancing both efficiency and performance.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max, also with a 6.9-inch display, utilizes Apple’s Super Retina XDR technology with Always-On and ProMotion features for a superior viewing experience. It includes a new gold color option and a novel Camera Control button, adding functionality exclusive to the Pro models. The device is equipped with the A18 Pro chipset and features a redesigned camera system with a 48-megapixel primary sensor and advanced video recording capabilities.

Performance and functionality

Both the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max are designed to offer top-tier performance. Samsung’s flagship includes 12GB of RAM, compared to the iPhone’s 8GB, potentially offering a smoother multitasking experience. The iPhone, however, continues to impress with its integration of hardware and software, leading to efficient performance in real-life usage scenarios.

This detailed examination highlights the strengths of each device, allowing consumers to make an informed decision based on their specific needs and preferences. Whether prioritizing camera technology, display features, or price, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max cater to all facets of premium smartphone requirements.

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Oppo Find N5 set to launch with 50W wireless charging and IPX9 water resistance

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6 days ago

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January 21, 2025

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Oppo Find N5 being tested underwater to showcase its IPX9 water resistance rating.

Oppo has officially confirmed that its latest innovation, the Find N5, will support 50W wireless charging and feature an IPX9 water resistance rating. The announcement comes as part of a series of teases highlighting the capabilities of this next-generation foldable smartphone, set to launch in February.

According to recent leaks, the Find N5 will be the first smartphone to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, signaling significant performance enhancements. Pete Lau, Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, has touted the device as the “thinnest foldable phone,” positioning it against leading competitors like the latest iPhone in terms of sleek design.

Zhou Yibao, head of the Oppo Find series, shared insights via Weibo about the Find N5’s advanced features. The device not only matches the wireless charging speeds of newly released models like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and OnePlus 13 but also integrates seamlessly with in-car systems from major electric vehicle brands such as BYD and NIO.

In a compelling demonstration of its durability, a recent video posted by Yibao showed the Find N5 being submerged underwater, showcasing its capability to withstand significant water exposure, evidenced by its IPX9 rating. This test included recording underwater videos, highlighting the phone’s versatile camera capabilities in extreme conditions.

The Find N5 also sports a refined design with slimmer borders and a larger overall form factor compared to its predecessors, which could attract users looking for a sleek yet robust foldable phone.

As anticipation builds, Oppo has begun sharing images of the Find N5, revealing a foldable design as thin as a USB-C port when opened. This device promises to merge aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, setting a new benchmark in the evolving foldable phone market.

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Realme 14 Pro series set to launch in India tomorrow: Expected specs, price, and more

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2 weeks ago

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January 15, 2025

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Realme 14 Pro series launch with AMOLED display, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, and advanced camera setup.

Realme is gearing up to unveil its latest mid-range smartphones, the Realme 14 Pro series, in India on January 16, 2025. The much-anticipated event will also mark the launch of Realme Buds 5 wireless earphones, adding to the excitement among tech enthusiasts.

When and where to watch the launch

The Realme 14 Pro series will be launched at 12 noon on Thursday, January 16. Fans can catch the live-streamed event on Realme’s official YouTube channel.

Realme 14 Pro series specifications (Expected)

The Realme 14 Pro series, including the Realme 14 Pro and Realme 14 Pro+, has already been introduced in China, offering a sneak peek into its features.

The Realme 14 Pro boasts a 6.83-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 3840Hz PWM dimming for superior visuals. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, coupled with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. It is expected to run on Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0.

For photography, the device offers a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP Sony IMX896 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens with up to 6x in-sensor zoom. The front houses a 32MP selfie camera.

Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP66, IP68, and IP69 water resistance certifications, and a robust 6,000mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging.

Realme 14 Pro+ pricing (Expected)

The Realme 14 Pro+ is expected to be priced at approximately Rs 30,000 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant and Rs 33,000 for the 12GB RAM/512GB version, based on its Chinese pricing of 2,599 yuan and 2,799 yuan, respectively.

As more details about the Realme 14 Pro surface, all eyes will be on tomorrow’s launch event for official specifications and pricing.

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