The picture depicts the twelve-stage process associated with the conversion of raw animal skin into finished leather.
Overall, this linear process comprises three main steps: transportation of raw materials to the factory, chemical treatment, and the eventual formation of finished leather. It involves both physical manipulations and mechanized methods to constitute superior quality products ready for use.
The process begins with the delivery and sorting of animal hides by size. Next, trimming discards excess portions before salt is applied as a preservative to inhibit decomposition. Once salted, the hides undergo a 30-day curing phase on shelves to ensure durability for further processing.
After preservation, the skins are subjected to soaking in water for 12 to 24 hours. Following this, the remaining hair is removed manually by using a knife, improving suppleness. The next stage involves pickling, where cleaned skins are simultaneously treated with salt and acid. This is followed by 48-hour tanning, wherein a chemical reaction takes place.
The last stages focus on leather refinement to enhance its texture and visual appeal. The material is first coloured and softened using pigments and dyes before being machine-dried to eliminate the residual moisture. Finally, a layer of wax is applied by hand, imparting a polished finish to the leather.