Sheepskin Tanning Process flow

SOLIHULL, U.K. - Nov. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- It has a very good environmental profile with the main tannage being based on organic compounds.

There are several basic steps to tanning a sheepskin, different tanneries will do things differently so to make it easy to understand I have listed below some main points.

A process is outlined below...

Raw skin - Skins taken from salted condition (preserved with salt at the point or origin)
Washed - Skin rehydrated and washed several times in selected detergents
Fleshed - To remove fat from the skins by machine
Pickled - Skin is treated to adjust the pH down in preparation for tannage
Tanned - Organic based tanning agent
Lightly bleached - To improve the colour of the wool
Retanned - To fill the skin and give the leather a nice feel
Buffed - To give the leather a nice suede finish
Dye the wool - To the desired colour. If Ivory this step is omitted and replaced with an additional bleach
Fatliquored - Treatment with selected oils to make the leather soft and resilient
Dried - Stretched into a nice shape
Wool combed and Ironed - So as to make the wool presentable and as new condition
Trimmed - To shape
Hand brushed
Final inspection
Packed and sent to the customer

Hanlin Natural Living

Hanlin Natural Living a major wholeslaer of Cowhides, Reindeer Hides, Icelandic Sheepskin, Sheepskin Products (Rugs, Hats, Gloves, Footwear), Springbok, Blesbok and Chamois Leather.

We pride ourself in searching the world for the finest of eco friendly products, working with major tanners who produce to the highest standards