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Leather Storage

16

FFPs Frequently Faced Problems

Leather like other organic material viz. wood, paper etc. is highly hygroscopic and tends to absorb moisture from
the surrounding air during processing or while in storage. The excess moisture absorbed by the leather results in
increased microbial activity. Mould, mildew and fungi germinate when relative
humidity is above 40%. The micro-organism growth is injurious to materials
like leather because it not only results in decomposition but also weakens it
mechanically and also spoils the `sheen of the leather product

General Recommendations
Storage Under Controlled Conditions
Finished leather products regain moisture while in storage, prior to
packaging. This results in the high rate of product spoilage due to mould/
fungus/ mildew growth fueled by moisture absorbed by the leather. In order
to prevent this spoilage, it is necessary to store the leather in humidity
controlled warehouses where conditions are maintained at less than 40% RH
at ambient temperature. This prevents leather from regaining moisture and
thus, growth of mould/ fungus/mildew.
Control Moisture While Packaging
The only way to prevent fungus growth is to ensure that the leather does not regain any moisture during packaging.
The best, most simple and economical method to ensure that leather does not absorb moisture from the
surrounding air while being packed, is to control the humidity at less than 40% RH in the packing area.

Solution
When New Horizon Ltd., Calcutta, India, an ISO 9002 Certified Company and a well known name in exports of
leather products discovered fungus growth spoiling the finish of the leather gloves they were exporting, they
immediately contacted Bry-Air for a solution. The culprit was identified asHigh
Humidity levels in the finished product storage and packing area. Leather being
highly hygroscopic picked up moisture, from ambient air due to high humidity
conditions prevailing in Calcutta, during the several stages of manufacturing
from cutting to stitchingstorage resulting in the hand gloves being packed
with moisture on the surface, which activates fungus growth.
Thus, the solution was to control humidity in the various areas to retard
microbial and fungus growth. Since, it was impractical and uneconomical to
dehumidify or control humidity of the entire manufacturing area, the Airgineers
recommended that the gloves should be stored in a humidity controlled area so
that surface of leather gloves is dry prior to packing. Also the packing area, was
recommended to be dehumidified. This would prevent the gloves from regaining
moisture and thus fungus growth would be prevented.
The Airgineers installed a Bry-Air Dehumidifier inside the storage chamber to
maintain relative humidity at less than 40%. The moisture was thus removed
from the surface of the gloves, which are kept on racks. It took about 4 hours to dry the surface of the gloves. Also,
further moisture regain was prevented. Bry-Air Dehumidifier was also installed in the packing area where it, in
combination with air-conditioning provided the required humidity and temperature parameters necessary for
packing of leather gloves. This further prevented the chances of moisture pick up and thus prevented growth of
fungus on the leather gloves.
New Horizon, thus continues to maintain its lead due to timely action taken by them to check the moisture menace.
Many renowned exporters of leather products, to maintain the quality of their products, prevent damage
from moisture and resultant fungus growth are using Bry-Air Dehumidifiers extensively. In fact, fungus
growth on processed and finished leather goods is the single major cause of products being rejected.

Modified on: 2nd August 2011

References Some

Alam Tannery Pvt. Ltd.

Alpha Overseas International Pvt Ltd.

Balaji Impex Pvt. Ltd.

Camac Leather Pvt. Ltd .

Centurion Export P. Ltd.

Classique L.

Creative Pvt Ltd.

Fox Exports

G D Enterprise

Industrial Safety Products Pvt. Ltd.

J F C Impex Pvt Ltd.

Jiwanram Sheoduttrai Ind. Pvt. Ltd.

Khimjee Hunsraj

Leatherite Exports

Lee Min Tannery

Levoc Export

Mallcom (India) Ltd.

Masood Alam & Co.

Metropoli fashions (P) Ltd.

New Horizons Ltd.

Overseas Leather Goods Co. Pvt. Ltd.

P. K. International

Rajda Industries & Exports Pvt Ltd.

Rama International

Ramesh Kr. & Co. Ltd.

S M Exports

Singh Leather Corporation.

STC International

Sunili Leathern Pvt Ltd.

Surya International

Talwar Brothers Pvt. Ltd.

Top Point Leather

Modified on: 2nd August 2011