The processing process of calf hides

From cow to piece of leather: the processing process of calf hides

Millions of years ago leather was already used. Our ancient ancestors soon learned that the animals they ate could be used for other purposes as well. Processing leather is an age-old craft. As more and more experiments were done with the processing of leather, more new developments were regularly discovered. An important one of these was the discovery that the fat on a calf's skin makes the skin feel softer. In this way it was learned that the calf skin can be softened with the help of fat. Instead of uncomfortable, rough skin, one could enjoy soft animal skin. For many years, people have been engaged in the production and tanning of calf hides. But how does the processing of calf hides actually work?

The different stages of the process

The value of calf skin has doubled in less than ten years. Most leather products are made from bovine and calf hides. The higher segment is mainly served with calf hides. Calf skin consists of different layers, depending on the thickness of the skin. First of all, the epidermis is encountered, also known as the 'nerve'. Then one finds the 'core split', of which mainly suede is made. The bottom layer is called the “meat split” where the subcutaneous connective tissue is found. To make usable leather, all hair and subcutaneous connective tissue are removed from the skin.

After purchase and arrival at the tannery, the hide should first be washed and soaked for a day in a large drum. During this major cleaning, lime is used, so that the hairs come loose. The skins are also cleaned of dung, slime and blood. The fat and meat residues must then be scraped off in a de-meat machine with a sharpened blade cylinder. After this, the skin will have to be preserved, after which the tanning process can begin.

Machines that help you with the entire processing process!

To maintain the quality of all the different layers of the calf skin, it is essential that the skin processing takes place carefully. Smarthides is therefore happy to discuss with you to develop a sustainable, user-friendly and smart machine that helps you with the entire processing process of the calf hides!

How can we help to salt your products? Call us on +31570621159 or email to info@smarthides.com.