Since 1889 · Igualada
02
Process
03
Sustainability
04
Colors
Tanning alters the collagen structure to stabilize it permanently. This is the point at which the hide ceases to be perishable and becomes leather.
Scroll to see the transformation
Tanning stabilizes the natural collagen structure so that the hide no longer degrades and retains its properties for decades. The leather’s strength, flexibility and durability originate at this stage.
Collagen fiber — the network permanently stabilized by the tanning agent.
Color, feel, flexibility and firmness do not happen by chance. Their development depends on a correctly controlled tanning process.
Different hides require different tanning methods. The process is selected according to the performance required of the leather and the needs of its final application.
This is the process we primarily use at Curtidos Badia. It produces stable, durable leather ready for the subsequent retanning and finishing stages, making it the most widely used option for leather goods and premium articles.
When an article requires it, we use Wet White tanning, a chrome-free process that creates a stable base for developments with specific requirements and certain technical applications.
Tanning is a controlled process in which every parameter influences the final result. Every bath is measured, adjusted and recorded to ensure that the tanning agent penetrates evenly and the leather achieves the intended properties.
The amount of tanning agent determines how it penetrates the fiber and the degree of stabilization the leather achieves. The dosage is adjusted throughout the process.
pH regulates the speed at which the tanning agent reacts with collagen. Keeping it within the specified range is essential for uniform tanning.
Temperature controls the rate of the chemical reaction and protects the collagen structure during the process. Precise control prevents irreversible changes to the fiber.
Time in the drum allows the tanning agent to reach the entire fiber structure. Its duration varies according to the article and the properties required.
Once the leather has been stabilized, retanning develops the properties that will define the finished article: softness, firmness, flexibility, dye affinity and technical performance.