The R&D unit has made internationally acknowledged breakthroughs in processing chrome-free leather, generating energy from solid waste and recycling of solid waste. This has been achieved through in-house patented processes which has helped in the reduction of greenhouse gases emission, recycling of liquid effluent, producing herbal and transparent leather, making value added chemicals like tanning agents from sludge and chromed solid wastes, paints from finishing waste etc.

The unit also develops 60 new products every year and its design studios in Italy and Spain produce
cutting-edge designs. Keeping pace with automation in the leather industry, robots are used for material handling.

R&D Highlights

• Bacterial colour for leather developed.
• Bio-gas and chromium recovery production.
• Mineral free herbal leather developed.
• Technology developed for biomethanation of drum sludge.
• Chemicals from coal ash scale up trials.
• Power generated from bio-gas.
• External revenue generation from chemicals obtained from waste.
• Eco-Mark awarded for finished leather.
• Solid waste recycling plant is a profit centre.