Enzyme and bioprocess engineering methods for sustainable leather manufacturing

Leather manufacturing is primarily an ecological process as it manufactures leather from the waste generated by the meat industry. However, leather processing has several challenges in achieving greener and cleaner process technology. Currently, the leather industry is focusing on implementing sustainable technologies to reduce the environmental impact of leather processing. Bioprocessing is a cutting-edge research area and offers a sustainable alternative to conventional industrial processes. Enzymes application in leather manufacturing can reduce the solid wastes and pollution generated from conventional leather processing. The enzymatic leather processes improve the leather quality, generates high-value by-products during the pre-tanning processes and provide high exhaust post tanning system. Despite of several advantages from enzyme application, industrial implementation of enzymatic process interventions is still challenging. The technological gap for effective control of enzyme during the leather processing and its economic feasibility are critical factors limiting the commercial employment of enzymes. This study reviews on various techno-economic factors affecting the implementation of enzymes in leather industries and discusses the future perspectives for commercial employment of enzyme-based sustainable leather manufacturing.