tanning process
Operations performed from beamhouse to tanning processes and from post-tanning to finishing processes.
Tanning technicians have knowledge of the technical management of all tannery production departments, from beamhouse to tanning, post-tanning and finishing of leather. They ensure compliance with product specifications and secure consistent leather quality, fitness for use and process and product sustainability.
Competences and skills
36 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 12 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceSector-specific
8 competenceshides, skins and leather products
The offered hides, skins and leather products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
leather chemistry
Chemical composition and chemical properties of hide/skin and chemicals used and their modification during the different tanning processes. Reactions between hide/skin or semi-finished leather and chemical products during the different phases of process and the factors affecting the performance of the reactions and of the process. Monitoring of the chemical indicators of processing and the characteristics of skins/hides/leather.
leather goods components
The various procedures and methods in the processing of leather materials and leather goods components like manufacturability and properties.
- Scope note
- It includes the ecological concerns and the importance of recycling.
leather products maintenance
The way to maintain the quality of leather products, the product types and their effects.
leather technology
Subject that includes traditional and advanced technologies of tanning processes, including machinery, service plants and other supporting equipment like moving or dosing systems.
physico-chemical properties of crust leather
The properties, physical and chemical, of intermediate leather products that have already undergone tanning operations. These properties vary depending on the animal of origin and previous manufacturing processes.
physico-chemical properties of hides and skins
The quality of hides and skins is defined by organoleptic, microbiological, histological and chemical characteristics (i.e. moisture, structure of the dermis, percentage of fat and collagen). Each type of hide/skin has specific physical and chemical properties that affect the type of tanning operations and the most suitable end use of the leather.
test leather chemistry
Set of tests that describe chemical features of leather. They include pH and content of specific substances.
Cross-sector
3 competencescharacteristics of chemicals used for tanning
Composition and physico-chemical properties of auxiliary chemicals used in the different tanning processes (tanning agents, fat liquors, pigments, dyes, etc.)
emission standards
The legal limitations of the amount of pollutants that can be emitted into the environment. The EU legislative framework regulating emission standards for driving vehicles.
green
functionalities of machinery
The machinery and equipment used and, in particular, the characteristics regarding functioning and calibration to ensure compliance with quality and product specifications, as well as the operator's safety.
Essential skills and competences 18 competences
Occupation specific
9 competencesconduct beamhouse operations
Conduct the beamhouse operations and adjust formulations according to the final leather good. Operations include activities such as soaking, liming, removal of extraneous tissues (unhairing, scudding and fleshing), deliming, bating or pouring, drenching, and pickling.
conduct leather finishing operations
Conduct finishing operations to produce leather. These operations give the product necessary solidity or flexibility, lubricate the fibers by replacing the natural oils lost in tanning, dye or colour the stock and give the surface one of the various finishes associated with leather.
conduct post tanning operations
Treat skins and hides of animals to produce leather. This involves permanently altering the protein structure of skin, making it more durable and less susceptible to decomposition.
conduct re-tanning operations
Conduct re-tanning operations to produce a further stabilisation of the collagen network.
design post tanning operations
Design the post tanning operations according to the final leather goods. This includes choosing the most suitable and cost-effective fixing agent to achieve the desired properties.
manage tanning operations
Plan the required tanning operations to produce leather. This includes selecting the most suitable type of tanning for each leather good according to final leather market destination.
plan beamhouse operations
Plan the required beamhouse operations according to the final leather good. Adjust the formulations of each process applying the conception rules of amino acids groups of collagens and the list of chemicals to be used.
plan fabric manufacturing process
Plan and optimise the operations, technologies, machineries for knitting, weaving, and spinning manufacturing processes according to the structures to be realised.
plan tanning finishing operations
Plan the finishing operations to produce leather. Adjust the formulation of finishing operation according to each type of leather market destination. Avoid volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions.
green
Sector-specific
3 competencesapply footwear and leather goods quality control techniques
Apply quality control in footwear and leather goods. Analyse the material, component or model using relevant quality criteria. Compare the material and other components received from the suppliers, or the final product, to standards. Use visual observation and report findings. Control the quantity of leather in the warehouse. Submit components to laboratory control test when necessary. Define the corrective measures when called for.
manage quality of leather throughout the production process
Manage systems for the customer-focused organisation of leather production processes. It uses strategy, data, and effective communications to integrate the quality approach into the culture and activities of the company and also to achieve the organisation’s mission and goals.
reduce tanning emissions
Adjust the formulation of finishing operation according to each type of leather market destination avoiding reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions.
green
Cross-sector
6 competencescomply with legal regulations
Ensure you are properly informed of the legal regulations that govern a specific activity and adhere to its rules, policies and laws.
ensure compliance with environmental legislation
Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
green
ensure compliance with safety legislation
Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
manage chemical testing procedures
Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.
manage environmental impact of operations
Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.
green
work with chemicals
Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.
Optional knowledge 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencesleather goods materials
The wide range of materials used in leather goods production: leather, leather substitutes (synthetics or artificial materials), textile, etc; the way of distinguishing among various materials based on their properties, advantages and limitations.
leather physical testing
Set of tests that describe physical features of leather. They include the analysis of the performance characteristics of leather, such as resistance to bending, to friction, to tearing, etc.
Cross-sector
1 competenceleather colour chemistry
Colour chemistry is the application and behaviour of dyes and colouring materials in relation to leather.
Optional skills and competences 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
3 competencesdevelop manufacturing recipes
Describe in detail the set of activities necessary for the proper operation and management of processes (amount of chemical products, planning of timing and processing, monitoring).
plan health and safety procedures
Set up procedures for maintaining and improving health and safety in the establishment or workplace.
test chemical auxiliaries
Conduct analysis to characterise the content of the mixtures of chemical auxiliaries. These include the determination of the water content, the amount of active principles declared, looking for potential hazards, etc.