Evaluating the Environmental Footprint of Conventional and Enzymatic Unhairing Processes in the Leather Industry: A Lifecycle Perspective

Abstract Book of the 5th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming

Year: 2025

DOI:

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Evaluating the Environmental Footprint of Conventional and Enzymatic Unhairing Processes in the Leather Industry: A Lifecycle Perspective

Bhagyaparvathy S, VR Sankar Cheela, Brajesh Kumar Dubey

 

ABSTRACT:

The leather manufacturing industry, one of the oldest and most resource-intensive sectors, is a major contributor to global pollution. Processing 1,000 kg of hides generates 750–850 kg of solid waste and effluents rich in heavy metals, chromium, salts, organic and inorganic substances, and malodorous gases like H₂S and NH₃. While tanning is widely recognized for its chromium-related environmental toxicity, the pre-tanning stage particularly unhairing and liming, which involve sulfides and lime accounts for 60–70% of total environmental degradation. This novel study employs Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using SimaPro and the ReCiPe 2016 methodology to evaluate conventional and enzymatic unhairing processes across the full lifecycle of leather production in India. Results reveal that the unhairing-liming step in conventional tanning is the largest contributor to global warming potential (GWP), emitting nearly 1,000 kg CO₂-equivalent more than other processes. Validating enzymatic processes is essential for sustainability, providing valuable insights into resource use, climate impact, and pollution control.

keywords: LCA, Leather, Enzymatic unharing, Unhairing -liming, SimaPro