气候变化领域集成服务门户

Leather-making processes have achieved great improvements in reducing environmental pollution all over the world. In this study, we collected the data from the tanneries in five countries on the material flow to quantify and analyze the carbon footprint of leather-making process, based on the Life Cycle Assessment with two impact assessment methods that characterize the impact of climate change (IPCC 2013 GWP 100 years and GHG Protocol). To process 1000 kg of raw hides, tanneries in Chile, China, India, Italy, and Spain emitted 882, 1180, 1608, 1198, and 755 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO(2)Eq), respectively. The carbon footprint of 1 kg of finished leather for shoe upper in five countries ranges from 3.41 to 6.30 kg CO(2)Eq. The average power consumption was the largest factor causing carbon emissions, followed by the consumption of acrylic resin, and chromium tanning agent. Carbon footprint analysis suggested that enzyme-assisted beamhouse and recycling of the liming float and the tanning float can effectively reduce carbon emissions during the leather-making process. This study will lay the foundation for the carbon footprint research of the downstream products of leather (shoes, apparel industry, etc.).