FUNGICIDES USED IN LEATHER INDUSTRY

FUNGICIDES USED IN LEATHER INDUSTRY
🔹 Why Fungicides Are Needed?

Leather is protein-based (collagen). During soaking, pickling, wet-blue storage, crust storage, and shipment, it is highly vulnerable to:

Mold growth

Fungal stains

Odour formation

Grain damage

Export rejection

Humidity in regions like Kanpur increases fungal risk, especially during monsoon.

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🔹 Major Types of Fungicides Used in Leather
1️⃣ Chlorinated Phenols (Older Technology – Now Restricted)

Example: Pentachlorophenol (PCP)

Strong antifungal action

Now banned/restricted due to toxicity

Not preferred for export leather

2️⃣ Isothiazolinone Based Fungicides (Most Common Modern Type)

Examples:

OIT (Octylisothiazolinone)

DCOIT

BIT (Benzisothiazolinone)

Applications:

Wet-blue preservation

Pickling stage

Fatliquor preservation

Finishing formulations

Advantages:
✔ Broad spectrum
✔ Effective in low dosage
✔ Good compatibility

3️⃣ Carbamate Based Fungicides

Example:

IPBC (Iodopropynyl Butyl Carbamate)

Applications:

Finishing stage

Top coats

Water-based finishes

Used in:

Shoe upper leather

Upholstery leather

Garment leather

4️⃣ Thiocarbamates & Zinc Compounds

Examples:

Zinc Omadine

Zinc Pyrithione

Use:

Anti-mold treatment

Surface coating protection

5️⃣ Organic Preservative Blends

Modern leather chemicals now use:

Multi-component blends

Low formaldehyde systems

Eco-compliant systems for export

Especially demanded by export-oriented tanneries.

🔹 Application Stages of Fungicides
Stage Purpose
Soaking Prevent bacterial growth
Pickling Protect from mold during storage
Wet Blue Long-term storage protection
Crust Anti-mildew during shipment
Finishing Surface fungal resistance
🟡 2️⃣ ANTIOXIDANTS USED IN LEATHER INDUSTRY
🔹 Why Antioxidants Are Required?

Leather contains fats and oils (from fatliquors). Over time:

Oxidation causes yellowing

Surface cracking

Rancidity smell

Reduced durability

Antioxidants prevent degradation of oils inside leather.

🔹 Types of Antioxidants Used in Leather
1️⃣ Phenolic Antioxidants

Examples:

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Hindered phenols

Use:

Added in fatliquors

Improve aging resistance

Prevent discoloration

2️⃣ Aminic Antioxidants

Examples:

Diphenylamine derivatives

Used in:

Industrial leather

Heavy-duty leather

Shoe sole leather

3️⃣ Phosphite / Phosphonite Antioxidants

Function:

Secondary antioxidants

Decompose peroxides

Stabilize fat emulsions

Often used in combination systems.

4️⃣ Natural Antioxidants (Growing Trend)

Examples:

Tocopherol (Vitamin E derivatives)

Plant extract based stabilizers

Used in eco-friendly leather production.

🔵 Difference Between Fungicides & Antioxidants
Parameter Fungicides Antioxidants
Function Stop fungal growth Prevent chemical oxidation
Stage Beamhouse, Wet Blue, Finishing Fatliquoring stage
Problem Solved Mold, black spots Yellowing, cracking
Demand High in humid regions High in export leather

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