Regenerated products from leather industrial solid waste: Future perspective and current advances

The removal of chrome waste (CW) has been identified as a significant environmental problem due to chromium's toxicity. This study tried to make a regenerated flexible sheet (RFS) with a leather alternative effect from chrome waste powder (CWP), cardboard waste fiber (CBWF), and protein binder (PB) fabricated by the hydraulic wet and hot press method. The prepared RFS was characterized by its High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical analysis, and biodegradation properties. The result showed the strong binding achieved with fiber/polymer membrane for RFS. In this regard, RFS with suitable mechanical properties such as tensile strength (37.54 ± 1.32 MPa), elongation at break (33.64 ± 0.52 %), flexibility (5.34 ± 0.67 %), water absorption (27.74 ± 1.56 %), and water desorption (27.46 ± 0.76 %) properties. RFS possessed the required mechanical properties for leather sheet production and it was also biodegradable. The study proves that these composites could be successfully used for the production of cost-effective leather goods and footwear production. Production of useful byproducts from waste is income generating and at the same time reduces environmental pollution and a feasible technology for waste recycling has been proved in this study.