CHENNAI: Keeping in mind the danger of reduced supply of cow-hide in the backdrop of cow-slaughter bans, scientists at the Chennai-based Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) are trying to tap unexplored sources of leather. Skin from chicken legs, ray fish and ostriches are being looked at as possible alternatives.
India being the second largest producer of footwear and leather garments in the world, with an annual turnover of over $11 billion, any reduction in supply of raw materials would affect economy and employment.
B Chandrasekaran, director, CLRI told Express that as the industry dynamics change, alternative materials have to be looked at to cater to growing demand for leather.
According to rough estimates, around 200 million square feet of chicken leg skin is available in India annually. “This source (chicken legs) is not utilised properly due to lack of technology and awareness among tanners and poultry producers. CLRI has taken an R&D initiative to investigate the feasibility of turning chicken leg skins into leather products under the 12th Five Year Plan. Its unique grain pattern and reptile-like structure gives it an exotic look and good market value,” he said.
Chandrasekaran said the technology has been developed on a pilot scale, and now the institute is in talks with industry players like Suguna Foods Private Limited and other hatcheries in the State to ensure a steady and increased supply of chicken legs that can be used to test the technology on a large scale.
Scientist Shakila Shobana, who is part of marketing team, says the idea was to generate wealth from waste. “CLRI is manufacturing fashionable apparels made of leather from these new sources,” she said.
200
Amount (in million sq feet) of chicken leg skin available in India annually
Roadmap for leather sector
CLRI has prepared and submitted to the Union government, a Technology Mission Plan for leather sector at a cost of approximately D2,400 crores. Through this plan, it is envisioned to provide proactive measures to upgrade and expand technologies and thus the capacity of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP), along with skill development required.
CLRI has prepared a roadmap for the leather sector as a part of the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)-led initiative to develop roadmaps for the manufacturing sector in the country for 2035, Through this roadmap, an innovation-led transformation of the industry has been envisaged by the Centre.