” One of the first uses of enzymes in leather manufacture was in bating. In primitive tanning, bating was accomplished by puering the hides by the use of chicken or dog manure. In this system an infusion of the manure was made with water and added to the limed hide. Although the procedure was easily followed; it was simultaneous with the deliming, and quality control was very difficult. The skill of the bate master at this point was more judging the degree of plumpness of the skins than in recognizing the actual extent of enzymatic activity.
O.Röhm, a good scientist, thought that the best way to improve the quality control was to use an enzyme preparation rather than an uncontrolled material such as manure. Through research he developed the use of an extraction of ground pancreas to obtain enzymes useful as bating materials. The ground-up pancreas, carried on wood flour along with buffering salts and deliming agents, was introduced to the leather Industry as a prepared bate. This ingenious invention was important in the establishment of the Röhm and Haas company, and the leather industry became the father of a great chemical company”
Page 112, Practical Leather Technology, 4th Edition, Thomas.C.Thorstensen
Wonderful little excerpt, isn’t it ?
Ah well! Now you know what i've been reading off late. And for some reason i can't quite figure out i find this book utterly fascinating. More later maybe.
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