Tannage is a noun that refers to the process of treating animal hides or skins with tannins to convert them into leather. It involves the application of tannins, which are naturally occurring substances found in the barks, leaves, and roots of certain plants, to transform raw animal hides into a durable and flexible material that can be used for various purposes.
During the tannage process, the tannins bind with collagen proteins in the hide, creating a chemical reaction that stabilizes and strengthens the structure of the skin. This reaction also gives leather its desirable properties, such as resistance to water, rot, and decomposition, as well as its characteristic suppleness and ability to age well.
Tannage can be achieved through different methods, including vegetable tannage, which uses natural tannins derived from plants, and mineral tannage, which involves the use of mineral salts to treat the hides. Other tannage techniques include chrome tannage, aldehyde tannage, and oil tannage, each resulting in leather with distinct characteristics and applications.
In addition to its essential role in leather production, tannage also plays a vital role in preserving and transforming animal hides into materials used in various industries, such as fashion, upholstery, footwear, and automotive manufacturing. The quality and outcome of tannage depend on numerous factors, including the source of tannins, the duration of treatment, and the expertise of the tanner.
