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Research & Development
The in-house Research & Development at Tata International is recognised by the Government of India's Ministry of Science & Technology.
Our R&D offers services like:
- Testing of Leather.
- Testing of varied leather Chemicals and Auxillaries.
- A new test procedure developed for dependable testing of Lastometer value of Goat/Sheep leather is published in Journal of Leather Chemical Association of America (JALCA) September 99 with appreciation.
Our R&D also offers technologies for:
- Process cost reduction.
- Integrated waste management for Solid and Liquid wastes through.
- Biotechnology and Resource recovery - Patent application filed Eco friendly leather (zero chrome leather with Tso = 98oc).
- Resource Recycling.
- Substance improvement of thin leathers (with min. stretch) etc.
Biomethanation
Our R&D department has developed a process for solid waste management by using solid waste as a resource for generating fuel gas through Biomethanation. A Biomethanation Pilot Plant has been set up and the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is subsidising the scale up cost under the United Nations Development Program's General Environmental Fund.
Another aspect of this joint venture project with the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is for chrome recovery through chemical and microbiological processes.
Timely steps taken by R&D to avoid PCP, Formaldehyde, Chrome VI and banned amines ensured that these chemicals were discontinued as soon as their harmfulness was reported. Cadmium and lead pigments have been replaced by organic alternatives. Synthetic fat liquors are being replaced by fat liquors of vegetable origin.
Thinking beyond the regulations in the true Tata mindset, the R&D division is looking at the future needs of the leather industry through R&D projects like processes for chrome free leather, process changes required for eco labelling of leather products, and of course, gainful utilisation of solid waste to generate energy and resource recycling.
