The Leather business unit (BU LEA) recently presented "Biotechnology at its best" at this year's All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) in Shanghai. The introduction of a complete product portfolio for use in the beamhouse process focuses on the enzyme-based technology X-Zyme:emoji:, which LANXESS developed in collaboration with the world-leading enzyme manufacturer Novozymes. In doing so LANXESS is positioning itself in the leather industry as the leader in the field off "white" biotechnology where innovative biotechnology methods are being used to develop specific enzymes for industrial applications.

The X-Zyme:emoji:process is an essential part of the new technology and service concept for the beamhouse, which the BU LEA has established under the Peltec brand. In leather production, the beamhouse is one of the most important process steps and is a synonym for all the activities prior to the actual tanning. In this process the raw hides are first thoroughly cleaned, unhaired and chemically prepared, ready for the skin to be tanned.

Sustainable beamhouse process

"There have been hardly any developments in the beamhouse process for the past thirty years; nowhere is the potential for innovation for a more sustainable and efficient process higher than in this area," says Dietrich Tegtmeyer, Vice President of Product Development and Application in BU Leather. And this is exactly where the X-Zyme:emoji: technology focuses, consisting of two industrially manufactured enzymes with tailored properties.

"The first enzyme is used in soaking. Here, it causes the degradation of certain protein components, thus creating accelerated opening-up and quicker re-hydration of the skin. Both are essential factors for the absorption of chemicals in the tanning process. Following this, the second enzyme removes all hair from the skin by dissolving the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis," Christopher Henzel, Technical Product Manager at BU LEA, explains the concept of the new technology. What makes it special: In comparison to conventional processes, this allows higher quality leather to be produced. Additionally, the quality of the waste water can be improved and the use of chemicals substantially reduced.

The feedback at the ACLE in Shanghai was accordingly positive. More than 70 international customers attended the official presentation of the new X-Zyme:emoji:technology, invited by the BU LEA prior to the exhibition. "With X-Zyme:emoji:we have shown that there is still great potential for innovation in the traditional beamhouse," said project managers Marc Hombeck, Head of New Business, and Matthias Hüttl, Global Product Manager at the Leather business unit.

There is detailed information in the new brochure "Peltec X-Zyme:emoji:" which can be requested free of charge byemail.