This document discusses chromium-free (Cr-free or FOC) leathers as an alternative to traditional chromium-tanned leathers. It notes that some countries have banned chemicals like formaldehyde and heavy metals used in traditional leather production. Cr-free leathers contain no chromium except small amounts of aluminum, zirconium, or titanium, and are tanned using synthetic and vegetable tanning agents instead of minerals. The document outlines the advantages of Cr-free leathers from environmental, regulatory, marketing, and physical properties perspectives, and compares Cr-free and chromium-tanned leathers. It also lists some weaknesses currently exhibited by Cr-free leathers.

1. Cr-FREE (FOC) LEATHERSCr-FREE (FOC) LEATHERS
QINGDAO YOUNGCHANG
INL’T LEATHER CO., LTD.
by

2. Cr-Free….. Some Facts
- Sensitive to environmental issue and
health.
- Some countries in EU have already
banned using chemicals including
Formaldehyde and heavy metals.
- Since 1994, use of azo-amine contained
dyestuffs has been banned for the
products direct intact with the skin.
- More demands on environmental
friendly raw materials and consumers
are already familiar with the
terminology.

3. ★ Wet White (comparing with Wet Blue)
A : No heavy metals or aluminum salts
B : No Chrome except Al, Zr, Ti
★ FOC : Free of Chrome
A : No heavy metals or aluminum salts
B : No Chrome except Al, Zr, Ti
★ Organic Tannage
No : Heavy metals or aluminum salts
Yes : Synthtic & Vegetable Tanning agent
Acrylic Polymers
Aldehydes
Auxiliaries
Iron (contained in dyestuff)
What is Cr-Free Leather ?

4. ○ No Chrome VI & minimal Chrome
III
○ No Mineral tanning (Al, Cr, Ti, Zr)
○ Minimal Formaldehyde.
○ Minimal PCP
○ No Azo Amine dyestuffs
*** Young Chang’s FOC leathers are
currently supplying to HONDA,
VOLKSWAGEN and REEBOK
Young Chang’s FOC LEATHERS

5. Automotive: (Seat Trim Cover, Steering wheels)
- Europe: Increase of demand
- North America: Starting to concern
- Asia: Starting to concern
Upholstery: Differentiate products from competitors
Garment: Differentiate products by advertising
“environmental friendly products”
Shoe Upper:
- Avoid ’Cr ALLERGY’ for infants sensitive skin
- High concerns on environmental friendly issues
Application of FOC LEATHERS

6. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
NAFTA EUROUA ASIA SOUTH
AFRICA
SOUTH
AMERICA
WORLD
Global Production Wet Blue vs. Wet White
Wet Blue
Wet White
Automotive Leather (2000)

7. Advantages of FOC
LEATHERSEnvironmental Aspects
• Chrome( ): Carcinogenic & allergy factorⅥ
• Chrome (III)  Chrome ( ) when burning Chrome leatherⅥ
• FOC leaves no harmful toxic substances or residues
Regulation Aspects
• EU: Leather Scraps ⇒ Manufacturer recovers & recycles (95% Recycle)
• Chrome contents in Wastewater
Marketing Aspects
• Differentiate the products from the conventional
Physical Properties Aspects
• Low heat shrinkage (3~5%)
• Low wrinkle shrinkage
• Low flammability
• Low load-stretching
• Low stiffening by standing long periods
• High heat resistance

10. Comparison of Cr vs. FOC
LEATHERS
Cr LEATHER FOC LEATHER
Tanning Agent
* Chrome (III)
- Minerals from the nature found by
mining
* Aldehyde
- Non mineral material
- compatible by combination *
Vegetable
- from the wood & vegetables
Manufacturing
Aspects
* Shaving Waste
- Required disposal by authorized
dumping institutes
* Wastewater & Sludge
- Special treatment required for
separating chrome in the wastewater
* Shaving Waste
- recycled
* No Chrome in
wastewater
- COD increase during treatment
- Manufacturing cost increase
Consumer Aspects
* Special treatment
required for disposal
- Toxic chemicals during burning
* Stiffening after time
* Easy disposal by
burning or grinding
* Less stiffening

11. Weakness of FOC LEATHERS
• Low tightness, especially at higher thickness and at the flanks
• Uneven milling breaks
• Weak pigmentation, whiteness, white in the cut
• Weak fixation of all anionic materials(fat liquors, syntans!)
• Weak dye fixation
• Weak fastness properties, e.g.
- Light fastness
- Perspiration fastness
- Rub fastness
• Weak Water resistance, water repellent leather