Tanning is the process applied to convert hides and skins into leather. A “hide” refers to the skin of large animals like horses, cows and buffaloes, while the term “skin” is used for smaller animals including ostriches, goats and sheep. Tanning strengthens the protein structure of the hide by bonding the peptide chains. The skin consists of three basic layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer. Only the dermis is used to manufacture leather, the other layers are removed during several processes. The main objective of the tanning process is to dissolve fats and non-fibrous proteins and to chemically bond the collagen fibres together.

Tanning is a very familiar process that has been with us through the ages. Since prehistoric times, a chemical process has been applied to skins whereby a vegetable material that contains tannin was used. This process is still used in less developed countries, or to achieve certain specific outcomes with leather. The newest form of tanning is chemical tanning, where mineral salts are used to produce thinner, softer leather products. Cape Karoo uses chemical tanning in order to produce the finest leather.

The tanning process makes use of two types of tanning methods, namely Chrome (III) tanning or Chrome-free tanning.  Chrome (III) tanning salt is used as the main tanning agent in the production of intermediary wet-blue leather.  All reasonable methods are applied to reduce and/or eliminate the formation of Chrome (VI) from our leathers. A chrome-free tanning process gives an alternative option for customers to differentiate their products which are made in the absence of chrome (III) tanning salts.

Leather production essentially consists of three main parts: preparation for tanning, where curing and the removal of hair and adherent flesh takes place, the tanning process and the finishing process. During the finishing process, mechanical and hand operations are used to soften, colour, lubricate, and polish the leather.