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RESCUE - MICS
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RESCUE

PROJECT

RESCUE

Ecological and Sustainable Recovery of Collagen and Its Use in Circular Economy within the Leather Industry
PROJECT LEAD

Giovanni Sannia

CONCEPT

The RESCUE project aims to implement circular economy industrial processes in the leather tanning industry.

The goal is to validate enzymatic processes for the recovery of solid waste from tanning and reuse it as a filler during leather re-tanning phases and in the development of more natural and sustainable finishing techniques.

CONTEXT

Italy’s leather industry represents about 19% of global leather production, playing a key role in showcasing the Made in Italy identity worldwide.

Although the tanning process itself is based on the recovery and valorization of industrial waste, making it a pillar of circular economy principles, it is still considered one of the most polluting industries today. A major issue lies in the large quantity of solid waste produced—approximately 80% waste per ton of animal skin processed.

Recovering and reusing this waste is essential to driving the eco-sustainable transition of the industry.

Beneficiari

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

The project has two primary industrial objectives:

  1. Industrialize the collagen extraction process using standard tannery equipment, starting from wet-blue and/or wet-white trimmings and scraps.
  2. Integrate the extracted product into specific phases of leather processing on an industrial scale, utilizing specialized machinery such as drums and spraying systems.

The final aim is twofold:

  • Reduce process waste
  • Produce a sustainable, high-value-added chemical auxiliary, enhancing leather characteristics in terms of structure (compactness and resistance) and final finishing, replacing acrylic and/or polyurethane resins with eco-friendly alternatives.

This approach is expected to:

  • Spark significant interest in the national tanning sector
  • Encourage sustainable development
  • Generate patentable solutions, combining improved product quality with environmental impact reduction.

KEY FIGURES

221

RESEARCHERS INVOLVED

12

PROJECT DURATION

5

NUMBER OF WORK PACKAGES (WPS)

4

STARTING TRL

7

FINAL TRL