LIFE02 ENV/E/000236 Recycling fat produced by processes of degreasing skins

Contacts
Website: www.inquimica.com




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Fish Oil/Fat : LIFE Projects : Separation/Fractionation

Type of Project	Demonstration
Contract No	LIFE02 ENV/E/000236
Total Cost	812 KEuro
EC Contribution	157 KEuro
Start Date	1-4-2002
Duration	18 Months

Abstract

This project demonstrated a process to recycle natural sheepskin fat generated by degreasing operations in tanneries, reducing negative environmental impacts and increasing the efficiency of the production cycle. At the same time this reduced costs.

Sheepskins contain a high natural fat content, which is problematic for the leather industry as it interferes with the tanning process. In order to avoid stains and dyeing irregularities, tanneries that produce sheepskins therefore need to eliminate as much of this fat as possible. The process involves various 'degreasing stages', during which wastewaters with a high pollution load are produced.

Most modern tanning plants have an effluent treatment system where fats are separated by filtration,generating a fat residue. This residue has to be stored in tubs or barrels and must be delivered to authorised plants for treatment. The quantities of fat generated are substantial, posing a problem for the whole tanning sector.

The LIFE co-funded project addressed this significant waste problem by demonstratinga new process for the recycling of the fat generated by the degreasing operation. The project was implemented by Inquimica S.A., a Barcelona-based manufacturer of chemicals for the tanning and construction industries that was able to partially replace expensive raw material by using the sheep fat. This added to the efficiency of the production cycle. At the same time, the process resulted in a lower cost raw material that can be used in the manufacture of other goods (for example, shoes and leather goods).

Trials of the products in which this fat could be used were carried out to establish the appropriate percentages of use in formulating various types of lubricants. Further trials of the application evaluated their properties. The stages of the fat recycling process were then established and the whole process was scaled-up to industrial level. By the end of the LIFE co-financed phase, the project had recycled 80 tonnes of grease during the year 2003, with a projected capacity to recycle 700 tonnes per year, once the facilities were fully optimised.

The project enabled the partial replacement of a costly raw material - fish oil - in the formulation of lubricants for tanning. In addition, the beneficiary has produced three products using the recycled raw material. These products could be sold at the same price as the one manufactured without recycled material, guaranteeing a financial return on the overall project costs and resulting in estimated savings of Euro 450,000/year.

Beneficiary

Inquimica, Spain

Contacts

Contact

• Miguel COROMINAS / INQUIMICA SA SPAIN