The leather tanning process has evolved in the current context into a practice that is extremely environmentally friendly and sustainability-oriented, thanks to advanced technologies and innovative practices. Every stage of the production cycle has been carefully optimized to ensure efficient use of natural resources and minimize environmental impact.
This means not only implementing advanced systems for resource recovery and waste management but also adopting methods that protect the work environment and promote employee well-being. Sustainability is not simply seen as compliance with industry legal requirements but as a continuous commitment to seeking innovative solutions that benefit the environment, workers, and future generations.
This sustainable approach is made possible through close collaborations with various stakeholders, including not only chemical companies for the development of more eco-friendly processes but also providers of purification services and organizations dedicated to recycling tanning materials. By working together, we can ensure a positive impact both environmentally and socially.
Furthermore, this commitment to sustainability is not only reflected in the production processes but also in the final product. Leathers tanned following these principles represent an authentic Made in Italy product, not only for their craftsmanship quality but also for the attention given to the environment and the communities involved in their production.
Not only do we produce high-quality leather, but we do so while respecting the environment. Our tanning process, primarily free from chrome and heavy metals, is part of our commitment to contributing to a more sustainable future.
Metal-free, Ancient Alum and Vegetable Tanning
In the world of leather production, our company stands out for its experience and expertise in the tanning and retanning process, a fundamental phase that determines the quality and characteristics of our products. We offer three distinct types of tanning: metal-free tanning, ancient alum tanning, and vegetable tanning. With these three types of tanning, we guarantee a diversified range of products that meet the needs and preferences of our customers, while maintaining high standards of quality and environmental sustainability.
Metal-free tanning is an innovative process that uses tanning agents free of heavy metals, thus reducing environmental impact and ensuring more eco-friendly leather. This method is particularly suitable for those seeking products free from harmful substances for the environment. Ancient alum tanning is a traditional method that relies on the use of alum, a natural substance, to tan the leather. This process gives the leather a unique consistency and durability, while maintaining a historical and artisanal footprint. Vegetable tanning is another option that favors the use of plant extracts, such as tannins obtained from trees like oak and chestnut, to tan the leather. This method, besides being eco-friendly, produces leather characterized by natural beauty and softness, ideal for high-quality products.
Productive cycle of M.A.C. Italia Pelli
“In our industry, we understand that ensuring a high-quality end product is essential to meet our customers’ needs. This outcome is not random but the result of a complex process involving many stages and variables. Only through extensive experience in the leather industry can we be certain of achieving impeccable quality. Each step, from selecting raw materials to meticulous attention to detail in processing, requires precision and expertise that only long practice can guarantee. It is this established experience that sets us apart and enables us to offer our customers products that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.”
We start our production process with Italian raw hides, selected for their superior quality and unique characteristics. This allows us to ensure rigorous quality control from the outset. While respecting traditions, we are also a company that embraces innovation by looking to ancient tanning systems and processes that have been passed down over time to ensure the highest quality and durability of our leather. We use a variety of tanning techniques, including those based on synthetic tannins, vegetable tannins, and alum. This diversity allows us to offer a wide range of leather products, each with unique and high-quality characteristics.
The Riviera Process
At the heart of our leather production cycle, the riviera phase represents a crucial moment where hides undergo a series of targeted treatments to prepare them for the subsequent tanning process. This phase is characterized by a sequence of rigorous operations that ensure the desired quality and characteristics of the final product.
Preliminary operations
Before commencing with chemical and mechanical treatments, it is essential to carefully prepare the raw hides. Preliminary operations, such as cleaning the hides to remove impurities and recovering subcutaneous fat, form the basis for an effective tanning process. These preliminary steps ensure that the hides are ready to absorb subsequent treatments optimally, ensuring the desired quality of the final product.
Riviera chemical operations
During the riviera chemical operations, hides undergo targeted treatments to make them suitable for the tanning process. Liming is the first step, softening the hides to facilitate hair removal. Subsequently, depilation removes hair from the hide surface, while bating deals with removing any traces of lime. These operations are crucial to properly prepare the hides for subsequent treatments.
Riviera mechanical operations
Riviera mechanical operations help prepare hides for the subsequent tanning treatment. Fleshing, splitting, and trimming are fundamental operations that even out the surface of the hides and improve their workability in later stages of the production process. These steps are essential to ensure the quality and workability of the material.
Drying and finishing
After the riviera operations, hides undergo a drying process to remove excess moisture and prepare them for the next phase of the process. The initial drying phase, known as “wind setting,” removes moisture from the hides. Subsequently, hides are dried using various techniques, such as vacuum drying, air drying, and drying on clamp frames. This process is crucial to ensure that the hides are ready for the finishing phase.
Finishing operations
The finishing phase represents the final step in the riviera process, during which hides undergo a series of final treatments to enhance their aesthetic and functional quality. Operations such as buffing, staking, pigment spraying, ironing, and conditioning impart softness, luster, and durability to the hides. These steps prepare the hides to be selected, measured, and destined for different markets, ensuring customer satisfaction and maintaining our high-quality standards.
Leather Treatment in the Tanning Phase
Our meticulous attention to detail begins with the treatment of leather in the tanning phase. We use advanced techniques to ensure that the leather is optimally prepared for the subsequent tanning process. From unhairing to maceration, each step is executed with precision to ensure that the leather absorbs the tanning agents evenly and effectively.
Mechanical Preparation for Retanning
Mechanical preparation of leather is a crucial phase that requires expertise and know-how. Our skilled artisans masterfully perform operations such as pressing, splitting, and shaving, ensuring that the leather is ready for the next treatment. Thanks to our attention to detail and artisanal precision, the leather emerges from this phase with a uniform structure and smooth surface.
Dyeing and Fatliquoring
Dyeing and fatliquoring are the steps that give leather its characteristic color, consistency, and softness. We use high-quality pigments and special formulas to ensure consistent and durable results. Our skilled artisans carefully apply the dyeing and fatliquoring agents, obtaining leather that meets the highest standards of quality and aesthetics.
Final Quality Control
Before being delivered to our customers, all leather undergoes rigorous quality control. Each piece of leather is carefully inspected to identify any defects and ensure it meets our high standards. Our commitment to quality extends to size control and laboratory analyses, confirming the performance and compliance of our leather with international regulations.
Size Selection and Verification
Each piece of leather undergoes size selection and verification to ensure consistency and uniformity of the final product. We use advanced tools and procedures to accurately measure the size of the leather, ensuring it meets the specific requirements of our customers.
Analysis and Innovation Laboratory
Our analysis laboratory is at the forefront of our constant search for innovation and improvement. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and highly qualified personnel, our laboratory ensures that our products meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Through systematic testing and research on process innovation, we are committed to offering our customers high-quality leather that meets international standards and exceeds industry expectations.
With our experience and expertise in the leather production cycle, we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality products that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. By choosing our company, you choose excellence and reliability in the leather processing industry.