ACTIVITIES

This project aims at demonstrating the use of poultry dejection in the bating phase of the tanning cycle at three levels:

1st. ENEA and AMEK will demonstrate the enzymatic characteristics of poultry dejection appropriate for the specific innovative application in the bating phase and will demonstrate an innovative treatment able to deodorize the waste material.

2nd. Semi-industrial level: COLORTEX and INESCOP will use semi-industrial pilot tanning drums for the demonstration of the new poultry dejection bating phase at semi-industrial scale. Numerous trials will be performed using smaller amounts of leather, water, poultry dejection and energy than in the case of industrial production. Training activities will be organized for Spanish and Italian tanneries, so that they can learn about the new poultry dejection bating phase and operate with the pilot tanning drums.

3rd. Pre-industrial level: at least two tanneries, Italian and Spanish, will test the production of leather using the poultry dejection bating phase at an industrial scale. Dissemination days will take place in the premises of the above-mentioned tanneries, to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the poultry dejection bating phase.

This project aims at demonstrating the use of poultry dejection in the bating phase of the tanning cycle at different levels. To date the following actions have been carried out:

1. A certain quantity of poultry manure was subjected to bio-treatment of deodorization, for laboratory tests and to be used in tannery.
2. Enzymatic measurements were carried out on treated poultry manure, in order to test its effectiveness in the bating process.
3. Physical-chemical characterization and microbiological tests were performed to verify the absence of biological risk for operators.
4. Treated poultry manure was tested on different samples of skins during the bating phase, at laboratory level and at semi-industrial level.
5. Odor emission measures were carried out on treated poultry manure, on skin samples during processing, on the bating floats and on the final product.