Tanneries in the Ranipet-Ambur-Vaniyambadi leather manufacturing belt are increasingly adopting solar energy technologies to reduce reliance on polluting firewood-based systems.
Credit: Hryshchyshen Serhii/Shutterstock.com
On Tuesday, the Overseas Leather Company in SIPCOT Industrial Complex, Ranipet, introduced a solar-powered hot air heating system to dry processed leather, replacing its traditional firewood dryer.
This transition marks a broader shift in the region, where 15–20 tannery units, including exporters like Overseas Leathers, have implemented solar air heaters and solar hot water heaters to power their dyeing and finishing processes. These upgrades are part of a growing effort to reduce the leather sector’s carbon footprint and embrace clean energy alternatives.
Previously dependent on firewood, which contributes significantly to pollution and operational expenses, tanneries in the region are now looking to solar-powered systems as a sustainable solution. However, installation costs and space requirements remain hurdles, according to S Gopalakrishnan, Engineering Maintenance Manager at Overseas Leathers.
SunBest, a solar energy firm based in Theni, provided the technology and technical support for these installations. A typical leather drier consumes 20–25 units of electricity per hour, with each tannery operating at least three driers daily. By switching to solar energy, the tanneries can offset up to 600 units of power usage each day.
The Ranipet-Vellore-Ambur region is home to over 700 tanneries, with Vaniyambadi alone accounting for approximately 40% of them. Currently, thermal energy accounts for about 55% of total energy consumption in leather production.
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