Emerging Trends in Leather Science and Technology

Dr. K.J. Sreeram’s core expertise has been in the area of Sustainability of Leather Industry. His group works on all the three components of Sustainability, viz., environmental, economic and social. On the Environmental Sustainability end, his group’s contribution has been on chrome management - starting from the ore processing residue management to rare earth based pigments as alternatives to Chromium (VI) pigments and in development of less chrome tanning salts. His expertise in the development of synthetic tanning agents free of formaldehyde and retanning cum fatliquoring agents have both environmental and economic benefits. Keeping in tune with the needs of developing circular economies, Dr Sreeram’s research group has also developed retanning agents and colorants based on the black liquor from paper and pulp industry wastes. He also pioneered in research and developments in the area of nanoscience, waterless processing techniques, biodegradability of leather and sustainability metrics. He has guided ten Ph.D. students and has over 100 publications and 20 patents. He received various awards and recognitions for his work on leather science including the CSIR Young Scientist Award. He served as Editor and Member in Technology Vision Document and various committees. His translational research efforts have led to more than ten technology transfers across India. Dr. Sreeram is currently serving as Director, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, India. Dr. Luis A. Zugno has career experience of over 47 years in the Leather and Chemical industry. He studied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and subsequently did his Ph.D. in Leather Technology from the University of Cincinnati, USA. He was a Lecturer in Leather Schools in Brazil. He held positions of Technical Director on the following tanneries: Prime Tanning Rochester USA; Changshu Maydiang Leather, China and Pfister and Vogel, Milwaukee, USA.He has made extensive contributions around the world on project management, providing technical support for tanners, problem solving, providing training courses, and presenting research work. He has participated in many Leather Conventions and Seminars since 1983 and has visited most of the important Global Leather Research Centers. Currently he is serving as the Secretary of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS) and was it’s Past-President. He is also Member of the Management Board at Leather Naturally. Currently he is working at Buckman in Memphis, TN, USA on Global Innovation for Leather.