BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

ETHIOPIAN INSTITUTE OF TEXTILE

AND
FASHION TECHNOLOGY( )

Host Company: ElCO Abyssinia Tanney

TITLE: Production of glue from trimming waste

DEPARTMENT: Leather Engineering
SUBMITTED BY: - Yabets Fekadu
ID NUMBER:-BDU0601781UR

Advisor: Mr. Shumet

Submission date June,2017

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 Declaration of Originality
I, Yabets Fekadu a fourth year Leather engineering Student, have under taken my
internship experience in Abyssinia Tannery, ELICO company from a period of
February 2017 to June 2017 under the guidance of teacher Shumet (Academic
Advisor) and Saba (company advisor). I declare that my work is original and
complied according to the internship report writing guide line given by the institute -
industry linkage office of institute.
As the student’s academic advisor, I certify the internship report written by the
student is his original work and complied according to the guideline provided by
institute's office as far as my knowledge is concerned.

_____________ _____________ ___________

Name of the academic advisor Signature Date

_____________ ___________ ____________

Name of the student Signature Date

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 Acknowledgment
GOD comes first; I would like to thank my God for everything. Then I would like to
thank EITEX for giving me the chance of internship and giving me a support in every
way that I need.

I am Great full for my company advisor (Saba) for her ultimate support, her advising and
encouragement while I was in her company. She gives me the chance to participate fully.

Finally I would like to thank my academic advisor Shumet for his truth advising.
I have pleasure to have such advisors and co-workers.

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Executive summery
This paper contains the four months report of the internship that I have been doing at
ELICO Abyssina tannery. The report comprises the general back ground of the
enterprise, some of experience that I have gained from internship, including the
activities I have been doing daily during the period of four months are tried to be
mentioned in detail. Therefore, this report contains the overall experience on hide
processing, leather finishing, quality control and tannery waste treatment, also
benefits we gained from the internship program and my project, manufacturing
process of hide glue.
The report contains three chapters in chapter one brief history of the hosting company,
its main technique, products, and services, its main customers and the overall
organization and work flow of the organization are briefly discussed and I have been
working, the work flow of the section and procedures such as storage, beam house,
retanning, crust preparation, finishing, selection and packing and quality assurance
and control.
In chapter two is discussed about manufacturing of glue/kola from pelt in order to
minimize solid waste as well as to increase ELICO tannery income and to create
comfortable environment during I stay at ELICO tannery.
Chapter three is disuse about benefit gained from internship such as: - Benefit gained
In terms of practical skill, Benefit gained in terms of up grading theoretical
knowledge, Benefit gained in terms of interpersonal communication skill, Benefit
gained Interms of improving team playing skills, Benefit gained Interms of improving
leader ship, Benefit gained Interms of understanding about work ethics and related
issue and Benefit gained Interms of entrepreneurship skill

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Table of contents
Declaration of Originality ............................................................................................... i

Acknowledgment ...........................................................................................................ii

Executive summery...................................................................................................... iii

Chapter one .................................................................................................................... 1

1 BACKGROUND OF ABYSSINIA TANNERY ................................................... 1

1.1 HISTORY........................................................................................................ 1

1.2 CERTIFICATIONS ........................................................................................ 2

1.3 COMPANY MISSION ................................................................................... 2

1.4 COMPANY VISION ...................................................................................... 2

1.5 COMPANY PROFILE .................................................................................... 3

1.5.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ..................................................... 4

1.5.2 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM ................................................................ 5

1.5.3 BEAM HOUSE ........................................................................................ 5

1.5.4 TANNING ............................................................................................... 6

1.5.5 CRUSTING.............................................................................................. 7

1.5.6 FINISHING.............................................................................................. 8

1.5.6.1 MECHANICAL FINISHING PROCESS ........................................ 8

1.5.6.2 APPLYING A SURFACE COAT .................................................... 8

1.6 MACHINES .................................................................................................... 8

1.7 PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF ABYSSINIA TANNERY ....................... 12

1.7.1 ABYSSINIA TANNERY PRODUCTS ................................................ 13

1.7.2 MARKET ............................................................................................... 13

1.8 SWOT ANALYSIS OF ELICO ABYSSINIA TANNERY ......................... 13

CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 15

2 producing glue from trimming waste ................................................................... 15

2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 15

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2.2 Statement of the Problem .............................................................................. 16

2.3 Objective of the Study ................................................................................... 16

2.3.1 General Objective .................................................................................. 16

2.3.2 Specific objective ................................................................................... 16

2.4 Significance of the study ............................................................................... 16

2.5 SCOPE OF STUDY ...................................................................................... 17

2.6 LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................. 17

2.6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 17

2.6.2 Protein composition ............................................................................... 17

2.6.2.1 Collagen Structure .......................................................................... 19

2.6.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF GLUE AND SPECIFICATIONS .............. 20

2.6.3.1 Characteristics of glue .................................................................... 20

2.6.3.2 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS ........................................................ 21

2.6.4 The process outline ................................................................................ 22

2.6.4.1 Acidic process................................................................................. 22

2.6.5 Alkali process......................................................................................... 22

2.7 Methods of Data Collection, Data Presentation and Data Analysis .............. 22

2.7.1 Methodology .......................................................................................... 22

2.7.2 Data Presentation ................................................................................... 22

2.7.3 Analysis of Problem ............................................................................... 23

2.7.3.1 Total amount of pelt in three days .................................................. 23

2.7.4 CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL .................................................................... 24

2.7.4.1 CHEMICAL ................................................................................... 24

2.7.5 Machineries/ Equipment’s Required...................................................... 24

2.7.6 The manufacturing procedure ofglue ..................................................... 24

2.7.6.1 Preparing a raw material ................................................................ 25

2.7.6.2 Washing .......................................................................................... 26

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 2.7.6.3 De-liming ........................................................................................ 26

2.7.6.4 Cutting(size reduction) ................................................................... 27

2.7.6.5 Cooking/ Extraction ........................................................................ 27

2.7.6.6 Filtration ......................................................................................... 28

2.7.6.7 Cooling ........................................................................................... 29

2.8 RESULT AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................. 31

2.8.1 DATA ANALYSIS ..................................................................................... 31

2.8.2 Discussion .............................................................................................. 33

2.8.3 De liming pH.......................................................................................... 33

2.8.4 Nature of raw material ........................................................................... 33

2.8.5 Temperature ........................................................................................... 33

2.8.6 Time ....................................................................................................... 33

2.9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ......................................................... 34

2.9.1 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................ 34

3 CHAPTER THREE .............................................................................................. 35

3.1 Overall Internship Benefit ............................................................................. 35

3.1.1 Practical Skills ....................................................................................... 36

3.1.2 Problem Solving Skill ............................................................................ 36

3.1.3 Interpersonal Communication Skills...................................................... 36

3.1.4 Work Ethics Issues and Industrial Psychology ...................................... 36

3.1.5 Self Confidence ...................................................................................... 37

3.1.6 Leadership Skill ..................................................................................... 37

3.1.7 Entrepreneur Ship Skills ........................................................................ 37

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Table 1 Company profile ............................................................................................... 3
Table 2: Machines .......................................................................................................... 8
Table 3 Production Capacity of Abyssinia Tannery .................................................... 13
Table 4: SWOT analysis .............................................................................................. 13
Table 5 chemicals and their uses ................................................................................. 31
Table 6 comparing with market glue………………………………………………..31

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Figure 1 Award .............................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2Organizational structure ................................................................................... 4
Figure 3 Process flow chart............................................................................................ 5
Figure 5 The structure of Amino Acid ......................................................................... 18
Figure 6 Hydrogen bond .............................................................................................. 19
Figure 7Conversion of tightly bonded, 3-coil strand of collagen, through heating and
cooling, to a gelatin network ........................................................................................ 20
Figure 8 Trimmed hide pelt ........................................................................................ 25
Figure 9 De-liming process .......................................................................................... 27
Figure 10 Pieces of cut trim pelt .................................................................................. 27
Figure 11Cooking of trimmed pelt .............................................................................. 28
Figure 12 Drying process of glue................................................................................. 30

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Chapter one

1 BACKGROUND OF ABYSSINIA TANNERY

1.1 HISTORY
Ethio-Leather Industry PLC (ELICO) was established in August 1999 as the leather
manufacturing wing of MIDROC Ethiopia with a total registered capital of Birr
51,705,000 (USD 7,673,640). It is the only leather industry to produce finished sheep
skin and goat skin leather in Ethiopia and has provided about 1,300 employment
opportunities, 40% of whom are women including 74 degree graduates and 272 semi-
professionals. The Company has a capacity of producing around 25 square feet of
leather on average from each bovine hide manufacturing unit, 4.5 square-feet from
sheepskins and about five square-feet from goat.
ELICO is the umbrella which can represent the three different tanning companies,
which is, now treated as a production division (manufacturing plants) with their own
offices.Those three factories of ELICO are
Abyssinia Tannery
Awash Tannery and
Universal Leather Products Factory.
Those three leather manufacturing units were established in different time and
situation as a separate entity.
A 59 years old tannery factory called Awash Tannery was established in 1957 as
Darmar Tannery by the brainchild of Armenian tanners who had fled to Ethiopia after
World War II and won the approval of Emperor Haile Selassie, who presided over the
official opening ceremony; commemorative plaque still has a pride of place at the
entrance to one of the main production units.
Political developments led to the expulsion of the Armenian owners in 1975 and the
tannery was nationalized including the other tannery called Abyssinia and Universal

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Leather Products Factory
Abyssinia Tannery was established in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in 1964 and engaged on
the production of superior quality suede upper for export market as well as sheep
Napa upper for the local market. The factory has a unique nature since it is the only
suede producer in Ethiopia
Abyssinia Tannery employs the best available machineries on the market. The
Engineering Division of the Company has fabricated in-house machines that best suit
the production purpose like sulfide applicator, skin polishing, skin wheel stacking,
and conveyer belt for rotary stacking. Many different spare parts are also locally
fabricated to save foreign currency for the country and maximize the profit of the

1.2 CERTIFICATIONS
Certified as Tannery of the Year Africa 2011: Finalist
Certified with ISO 9001 Quality Management System

Figure 1 Award
Certified with ISO 14001 Environment Management Systems

1.3 COMPANY MISSION

Abyssinia Tannery’s mission is to enrich the quality of leather through responsible
application of knowledge, skills and technology. Abyssinia is committed to the
pursuit of excellence through world-class products, innovative processes and
empowered employees to provide the highest level of satisfaction to its customers

1.4 COMPANY VISION

To become a highly competitive and most preferable world-class, branded and
highquality leather producing company

2
1.5 COMPANY PROFILE
Table 1 Company profile
Company Name ELICO Abyssinia tannery

Head Office From Bole International Airport to Saris Abo

Church Near to Saris Abo Church Addis
Ababa

Address Near to Bihere-Tsigae Public Park Addis

Ababa Ethiopia

Phone +251-11-4-42-21-40

Fax +251-114-432-393

E-mail [email protected]

Web Page http://www.elicoplc.com.et/

Company Logo

3
1.5.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Abyssinia Tannery has a simple organizational structure. The tasks and activities of
the company are described below:

Figure 2Organizational structure

4
1.5.2 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
Abyssinia Tannery has simple leather manufacturing process steps. Which are divided
into three sub-processes: beam house, Tanning and post-tanning. The tasks and
activities of the company are described below:

Figure 3 Process flow chart

1.5.3 BEAM HOUSE

According to Abyssinia tannery, the beam house is the section of the tannery where
hides or skins are prepared for tanning
Soaking is carried out to allow hides and skins to reabsorb any water which may have
been lost after flaying, in the curing process, or during transport.

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Liming is to remove the hair, epidermis, and to some degree, proteins and to prepare
the hide or skin for the removal of adhering flesh and fat by the fleshing process.
Fleshing is a mechanical scraping off the excessive organic material from the hide
(connective tissue, fat, etc.). The pelts are carried through rollers and across rotating
spiral blades by the fleshing machine
Splitting the hide/skin is cut into two or more horizontal layers.
Deliming after the liming process, the lime or other alkali in the skin is no longer
required, and, in most cases, it has a detrimental effect on subsequent tannage. The
deliming process involves a gradual lowering of the pH by means of washing in fresh
water or by weak acidic solutions or by salts such as ammonium chloride or sulphate
or boric acid
Bating the unhairing process leaves the surface of the skin or hide clean, however,
some hair roots and pigments are still not removed during unhairing, which is not
desirable for certain types of leather. The removal of these hair roots and pigments is
achieved by the bating process. Bating uses commercially available proteolytic
enzymes.
Degreasing of greasy skins is particularly important before chrome tannage as the
chromium salts can react with the greases and form insoluble chromium soaps, which
are very difficult to remove subsequently.
Pickling is carried out to reduce the pH of the pelt prior to mineral tanning and some
organic tannages (chrome tanning). The pH of the medium is kept at around 3.5

1.5.4 TANNING
Tanning is the process that converts the protein of the raw hide or skin into a stable
material which will not putrefy and is suitable for a wide variety of end applications.
In Abyssinia tannery commonly used tanning material is chromium, which leaves the
leather blue colour (due to the chromium), this product is commonly called “wet
blue”. The acidity of hides once they have finished pickling will typically be between
pH of 2.8-3.2. At this point the hides are loaded in a drum and immersed in a float
containing the tanning liquor. The hides are allowed to soak (while the drum slowly
rotates about its axle) and the tanning liquor slowly penetrates through the full

6
substance of the hide. Regular checks will be made to see the penetration by cutting
the cross section of a hide and observing the degree of penetration. Once an even
degree of penetration is observed, the pH of the float is slowly raised in a process
called basification. This basification process fixes the tanning material to the leather,
and the more tanning material fixed, the higher the hydrothermal stability and
increased shrinkage temperature resistance of the leather.
The pH of the leather when chrome tanned would typically finish somewhere between
3.84.2 and the hides or skins are not subject to putrefaction, their dimensional
stability, resistance to mechanical action, and heat resistance increase

1.5.5 CRUSTING
Shaving process is carried out to reduce and/or even out the thickness throughout the
hide or skin. The hides and skins are put through a machine with a rapidly revolving
cylinder cutting fine, thin fragments from the flesh side. Shaving can be carried out on
tanned or crusted leather. The small pieces of leather which are shaved off are called
shavings.
Neutralization is the process by which the tanned hides are brought to a pH level
suitable for the process steps of retanning, dyeing and fatliquiring.
Retanning process can be carried out with the following objectives:
To improve the feel and handle of the leathers;
To fill the looser and softer parts of the leather in order to produce leathers of more
uniform physical properties and with more economical cutting value to the customer;
To assist in the production of corrected grain leathers;
To improve the resistance to alkali and perspiration;
To improve the 'wetting back' property of the hide to help the dyeing process.
Dyeing process is carried out to produce consistent coloring over the whole surface of
each hide and skin, and for exact matching between hides in a commercial pack.
Typical water-based acid dyes are commonly used by Abyssinia tannery.
Fatliquiring leathers must be lubricated to achieve product-specific characteristics and
to re-establish the fat content lost in the previous procedures.
Drying the objective of drying is to dry the leather whilst optimizing the quality and
area yield. There is a wide range of drying techniques and some may be used in
combination. Each technique has a specific influence on the characteristics of the

7
leather. Drying techniques include samming, setting, overhead drying, and toggle
drying are used in Abyssinia Tannery (ELICO).
Generally samming and setting are used to reduce the moisture content mechanically
before another drying technique is used to dry the leather further. Adding a toggle
action will enable leather to be dried and stretch sequentially to improve area yield.
After drying, the leather may be referred to as crust.

1.5.6 FINISHING
The overall objective of finishing is to enhance the appearance of the leather and to
provide the performance characteristics expected of the finished leather with respect
to: colour, gloss, handle, flex, adhesion, rub fastness, as well as other properties as
required for the end use, operations can be divided into mechanical finishing
processes and coating.

1.5.6.1 MECHANICAL FINISHING PROCESS

A wide range of mechanical finishing processes may be carried out to improve the
appearance and the feel of the leather. The following lists of mechanical finishing
processes are done on Abyssinia Tannery (ELICO):
Conditioning: water is added to the leather to a level of 18-28%. (Optimizing the
moisture content in leather for subsequent operations)
Staking: softening and stretching of leather
Buffing/dedusting: abrading of the leather surface and removing the resulting dust
from the leather surface Dry milling: mechanical softening Polishing:

1.5.6.2 APPLYING A SURFACE COAT

The purpose of applying a surface coat is:
To provide protection from contaminants (water, oil, soiling);
To provide colour;
To provide modifications to handle and gloss performance;
To provide attractive fashion or fancy effects; To meet other customer requirements.

1.6 MACHINES

Table 2: Machines

8
 Name of machines Items Amount

Drum 15

Fleshing machine

Splitting machine
1

9
 4
Sam-setting machine

Shaving machine

Overhead drying 1

10
Toggling machine 2

Vibrations staking machine 1

Milling drum 1

11
Buffing machine 8

Dust-compressor 2

Measuring machine 1

1.7 PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF ABYSSINIA TANNERY

The production capacity for Abyssinia tannery is targeted to have an annual increment
of 15%/year and its current actual production capacity is indicated hereunder.

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Table 3 Production Capacity of Abyssinia Tannery
No, Production category Per day Per year

1 Production capacity of goat skins 2,333 pcs or 700,000 pcs or

9,915 sq ft 2.9 Million sq ft

2 Production capacity of sheep hides 2,500 pcs 750,000 pcs or

10,625 sq ft 3.19 Million sq ft

Total ~5,000 pcs or 1.45 Million pcs or

21,250 sq ft 6.17 Million sq ft

1.7.1 ABYSSINIA TANNERY PRODUCTS

Generally, Abyssinia Tannery has the capacity to produce quality finished leather
product based on the orders of the customers’ in the market. Product types prepared
from hides include:
Finished goat suede upper
Finished sheep service gloves
Finished goat garments

1.7.2 MARKET
Abyssinia Tannery is a more diverse and competent operating Unit. It is exclusively
export-oriented and dominant receivers of its products are Italy and Hong Kong.

1.8 SWOT ANALYSIS OF ELICO ABYSSINIA TANNERY

Table 4: SWOT analysis

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 STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Favorable geographical location Lack of Skilled Workforces
Easy availability of low cost of labor Unawareness of international standards
Exposure to export markets Difficulties in accessing to testing and technical
Exporter-friendly government policies. services

OPPORTUNITIES Threats
Establishing by-product industry with solid and Entry of multinationals in domestic market.
liquid waste Political instability, corruption
Growing fashion consciousness globally

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CHAPTER TWO

2 producing glue from trimming waste

2.1 Introduction
A number of leather tanning firms are craving to be effective entities in order to
enable them to compete effectively in the ever-changing globalized market-based
economy. Owing to globalization, those firms can no longer purport to be competing
locally; they have to strive to be in the same economic status with the world best if
they are to survive the tough business competition. Increased competition calls for the
tannery industries to device ways of improving their competitiveness in the ever-
changing global market. One of the ways that those industries can improve their
competitiveness is by adopting and using efficient alternative methods of
production.Thus, the production of glue from trimming waste which got its
significance in reducing waste and environmental pollution has been used widely to
binding and gluing functions improve elements associated with the effectiveness of
leather industries, with benefits already well documented.
Production is the transformation of raw material to a finished product that is intended
to satisfy the needs and fill the gap. Every production involves capital and required
time to convert the input to output. Producers are always seeking the alternative
method for reducing the cost and time for producing products.Animal glue, known as
tauro kola in Greek and gluten taurinum in Latin, were made from the skins of bulls in
antiquity broken pottery might also be repaired with the use of animal glues, filling
the cracks to hide imperfections.
The Recovery and utilization of unwanted hide from tanneries or abattoirs for other
industries are already developed and widely used. Animal hide is a suitable starting
material for glue and gelatin industries and these places could provide a relatively
stable source of raw materials for the production of glue. The first known written
procedures of making animal glue were written about 2000 BC. Between 1500–1000
BC. Even though the production of trimmed glue has numerous functions, the cost
and time for production is high. This project has attempted to address basic issues
involved with the production of trimming waste glue and suggesting alternative ways
of production in a more efficient way.

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2.2 Statement of the Problem
In leather industry there are different wastes generated from different Sections or class
.these wastes are exposed to the environment in the form of liquid or solid . The liquid
waste highly generated from beam house, retaining and finishing classes. As well as
the other solid waste are generated from hand shaking, salt from solar evaporation
plan, hair (pasting bovine) fleshing, raw trimming, lime sludge, wet blue trimming,
splits, buffing dust, and dyed trimming. So by understanding these problem the
researcher decided to do project from the leather waste especially from the solid waste
generated from the trimming hide or skin, because in ELCO Abyssinia tannery the
pelt are exposed to the environment without treatment .These pelt have sulfides and
other chemicals which is highly toxic to the environment. so by see these problem the
researcher initiated or motivated to conduct the study in these in the production of
the glue from the waste of trimming hide or skin and to reduce the Environmental
hazards and to produce income to the company by adding some values to the waste
pelt.

2.3 Objective of the Study

2.3.1 General Objective

Manufacturing of glue from trimming waste

2.3.2 Specific objective

• To reduce solid waste
• Reducing transportation cost for waste disposal
• To investigate and identify the major types and sources of glue in
ELICO
• To increase income of ELICO Abyssinia tannery

2.4 Significance of the study

This project is of great importance to minimize or manage solid waste and converting
them to value added item. Liming operation generates huge amounts of sludge and
trimmed pelt which have the ability to pollute the environment. In this project,
utilizing limed pelt to form glue has been investigated as an alternative method in
solid waste minimization.
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2.5 SCOPE OF STUDY
There is a growing demand for eco-friendly leather processing in the context of waste
reduction and utilization by using alternative method of production to improve the
quality of the product and to minimize the cost of production. Hence, there are several
reports on tannery solid waste handling and minimization. But, apart from improper
landfill system or dumping site, there is no serious attention on dealing with solid
wastes generated from Abyssinia Tannery.
The scope of the present project work is to present an alternative method for
producing the glue from solid waste of tanneries. Surely, the number of
parameters/experiments for characterization that we can carry out depends on the
number of experimental facilities available at our disposal.

2.6 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.6.1 Introduction
The hide glues used as binders in gilding systems are formed from proteins that
contain many polar and ionizable chemical groups. These groups participate in the
linking of the glue molecules to the substrate and to themselves, thereby forming an
interconnected network. This network has properties common to many cross-linked
polymers; it is slightly elastic and can diffuse stress throughout its matrix. The
addition of a bulking agent (whiting or gypsum) to the glue causes some changes in
the chemical and physical properties of the protein network; most of these correlate to
changes seen in filled cross-linked polymers. It is possible, then, to predict the
behavior of a filled animal glue such as gesso by first considering the chemistry and
physical properties of the component

2.6.2 Protein composition

The chemical responsible for the adhesive properties of glue is collagen, the primary
structural protein of animals. It exists as a long fibrous polymer molecule made up of
amino acids in a complex, ordered configuration. A polymer is a molecule of high
molecular weight, made up of many smaller molecules (monomers) that are linked
end to end in a chainlike arrangement. The concept of a chain is a powerful model for
many polymers; just as a real chain having 100 links is physically different from a
pile of 100 separate links, so is a polymer chain composed of 100 monomers different
from 100 separate molecules. If one link of the chain is pulled, the rest of the chain

17
moves or stretches; the pile of separate links will be unaffected if a single link is
moved. Also, if the chain is shaken, it will hold together, moving around within a
restricted area, and may tend to get tangled. The pile of separate links will disperse on
shaking, and the links will continue to move farther apart with no association between
them. Thus, polymers are generally more flexible and more cohesive than the
equivalent monomers.
Proteins are composed of amino acid monomeric units covalently linked together in
specific sequence through peptide bonds:

The common amino acids that form the monomeric units of proteins are all carboxylic
organic acids, which contain a primary amine (except two that have this nitrogen
bound up in a ring) on the carbon next to the carboxyl carbon. A generalized structure
of amino acid can be depicted as:

Figure 4 The structure of Amino Acid

Hydrogen bonding between protein chains, which can be broken by chemical or
physical stress and reformed.

18
Figure 5 Hydrogen bond

2.6.2.1 Collagen Structure

Collagen, a basic "building block" in the construction of animals, is referred to as a
structural protein. It is fibrous in nature and is a major component of the connective
tissue that sheaths muscles and attaches them to bone through tendons or that attaches
skeletal elements together through cartilage. It also forms the bulk of the proteins
found in hides and skin. When extracted from hide, tendon, cartilage, and bones,
collagen becomes the primary component of glues. Fibrous proteins are well suited to
their task of support and connection. They are formed from very long, thin fibers of
amino acids covalently bonded in specific sequence. This sequence gives collagen a
specific shape and strength that is a consequence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
In the 1950s, Linus Pauling, collagen exists as a molecule that is tightly coiled about
itself forming a secondary structure termed an -helix.2 Nearly half the amino acids of
collagen are glycine and alanine, the smallest amino acids; this causes the collagen

19
molecule to coil in such a manner that the small amino acids are in the center of the
coil and the bulky, less mobile ones.-for example, hydroxyproline- are on the outside.
Hydroxyproline's rigid structure causes a twist in the coil wherever it occurs. The -
NH- and=0 groups of glycine and alanine from one coil will then hydrogen bond with
similar sites on the other coils. The molecules bunch together in groups of three,
forming a larger coil that gives collagen fibers their strength in living tissue. When
collagen is heated in water, it separates into the single coils, forming a solution . As
the solution cools, the collagen chains try to reform the 3-coil structure but, like a
misaligned zipper, can line up only in sections. The unaligned parts of the coils then
align with parts of other coils. This pattern continues until a network of the chains
exists, held together by the hydrogen-bonded, 3-coil links .

Figure 6Conversion of tightly bonded, 3-coil strand of collagen, through heating and cooling, to a gelatin
network

2.6.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF GLUE AND SPECIFICATIONS

2.6.3.1 Characteristics of glue

Animal glue is a protein derived from the simple hydrolysis of collagen, which is a
principalprotein constituent of animal hideGlue is supposed to be an impure material
deeper in colour with less thickening power but withgreater degree of dispersive
efficiency.The distinction between gelatin and glue is not very sharp. Commercially,
gelatin is understoodto cover very pure glue supplied as thin sheets, colourless (or) of

20
very pale colour possessing ahigh gelatinising power but comparatively poor
agglomeration properties.
Generally, animal glue can be defined as a protein derived by hydrolysis from
collagen, the chief organic constituent of skin and bones; however, it is still not
certain whether glue is the result of a hydrolysis of collagen or an intermolecular
rearrangement. One empirical formula of animal glue that has achieved some
acceptance is (C,02H159039N3w~) iNth a molecular weight of about 34,900. Owing,
to the complexity of the molecule, no acceptable structural formula has been arrived
at. We may draw, however, upon the great amount of research directed at protein in
general, to explain some of the structural features of the glue gelatin molecule.
An interesting property of animal glue solution is that glue is transformed from a
liquid to a gel state on cooling and reverting to a liquid on reheating. This property is
of primary importance in many adhesive applications. Animal glue is commercially
available in a number of forms including the dry granulated product for use as hot
glues, cold liquid glues for immediate use and a wide selection of composition glues
in cake or jelly form.
Approximate chemical composition
• Carbon 51.29
• Hydrogen 06.39
• Oxygen 24.13
• Nitrogen 18.19
Density Approximately: 1.27 gm per cc
Moisture: 10% to 14%
Ash content:2.25% to 4%
Solubility: Soluble in water,insoluble in oils, waxes, organicsolvents and absolute
alcohol. They areemulsified as water oil system under appropriateconditions

2.6.3.2 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS

The term glue refers to the crude form of Gelatin. Glue refers to the product finding
chiefly industrial applications as an adhesive in plywood, paper board, match,
abrasive and similar industries. Gelatin refers to the product in a much purer and
cleaner form finding use in food, pharmaceutical and photographic industry and in
some specific areas of industry as an adhesive. Sector of application Nature of uses
Adhesive

21
Animal adhesives are of various kinds derived from skins and bones of the animals.
The form is known as Hide glue and the latter as Bone glue. Fish glue are derived
from the skin of various fishes, casein glue is derived from casein obtained from milk
of various animals. Used in bonding furniture, musical instruments, decorative
veneers, book binding, packaging, sizing Animal blood glue is also utilized for
various purposes.Miscellaneous manufacture of abrasive papers and paper tube.

2.6.4 The process outline

2.6.4.1 Acidic process

This involves essentially adjustment of the pH value of Glue and gelatin and
subsequent extraction of gelatin at a low temperature between 50 to 60 degrees
centigrade.

2.6.5 Alkali process

This involves treatment of the collagenous material with alkali under rigid controlled
conditions of temperature, pH value and time. In general, a suspension of lime is used
as alkali medium;

2.7 Methods of Data Collection, Data Presentation and Data Analysis

2.7.1 Methodology
The following data were gathered by observation, interviewing and by weighing the
amount of waste for each liming process/pelt. The daily activities were observed and
registered by myself. The company advisor and individual employees in the tannery
were interviewed independently on the overall situation and condition of the working
environment.

2.7.2 Data Presentation

The following data were collected from the section by weighing the amount of waste
on each liming process and by observation and by interviewing different workers and
expert’s in different working positions in beam house. These were like as follows:
A Production and waste of pelt per shift of 3 days.

22
Table 3 Production and waste of pelt per shift of 3 days.
DATE/MONTH PER/MONTH TOTAL
12/05/2017 3 3 * 1610kg= 4830kg
24/o6/2017 3 3 * 1610kg=4830kg
26/07/2017 3 3 * 1610 kg=4830 kg
30/08/2017 3 3 * 1610 kg =4830 kg

2.7.3 Analysis of Problem

2.7.3.1 Total amount of pelt in three days

We have to calculate total amount of pelt with respect to production of each of the
drum in three days. Where IP=input material, Op=output material, AP=amount of
pelt
liming drum one
𝐼𝑃 = 4000𝑘𝑔
𝑂𝑃 = 2390𝑘𝑔
𝐴𝑃 = 𝐼𝑃 − 𝑂𝑃
4000𝑘𝑔 − 2390𝑘𝑔
= 1610𝑘𝑔
liming drum two
𝐼𝑃 = 4000𝑘𝑔
𝑂𝑃 = 2390𝑘𝑔
𝐴𝑃 = 𝐼𝑃 − 𝑂𝑃
= 4000𝑘𝑔 − 2390𝑘𝑔
= 1610𝑘𝑔

liming drum three

𝐼𝑃 = 4000𝑘𝑔
𝑂𝑃 = 2390𝑘𝑔
𝐴𝑃 = 𝐼𝑃 − 𝑂𝑃
= 4000𝑘𝑔 − 2390𝑘𝑔
= 1610𝑘𝑔
Total amount of total pelt in beam house

23
 = pelt of drum one +pelt of drum two +pelt of drum three
= 1610 𝑘𝑔 + 1610 𝑘𝑔 + 1610 𝑘𝑔 = 4830𝑘𝑔/month

2.7.4 CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL

2.7.4.1 CHEMICAL
In the production of glue sulpheric acid, ammonium sulphate,tap(ground
water),deliming agents, phenoliphetalin, litmus paper and aluminum sulphate are
used.

2.7.5 Machineries/ Equipment’s Required

In production of glue we uses different material such as plastic container for washing,
stirrer (glass road), beaker or steel container for boiling pelt, wood, flat table for
drying, storing material, filters, and flat plastic container for containing liquid hide
glue, cutter, testing drum, storage tank, insulated heater or oven, measuring cylinder.
METHOD

TRIMMED PELT DELIMING COOKING

FILTERATION

GLUE

DRYING

2.7.6 The manufacturing procedure of glue

The hide fleshing are dumped will be dumped in the gauge for temporary storage of
raw material. so first,

24
2.7.6.1 Preparing a raw material
Glue is manufactured from the hides, hide trimming, fleshing, tails, ears, tanneries
solid wastes etc. This project deals with limed trimmed pelts of hide.
The raw materials do not contain glue themselves but rather an organic compound
known as collagen, gelatin like protein, during the glue production collagen is
converted to glue. First we take 250g of pelt from gauge that is used to store
pelt(beam house), when we take pelt we should use safety material like glove, shoes
etc. to reduce the effect of lime on our health.

Figure 7 Trimmed hide pelt

25
2.7.6.2 Washing
During we conduct the washing process we use test drum(sample drum) for
20min with water amount of 150% At 30OC .then we wash it and drain when
the pelt is fully cleaned from dirty and surface lime on the pelt. This can solve
the time taken for washing with concentrated sulphric acid with duration of
two or three days.
• 150%=250g*150/100=375ml of water

2.7.6.3 De-liming
The limed material again washed with water to remove surface lime. The material is
then taken to de-liming paddles where the material is treated with ammonium suphlate
of 3% at 40OC with 150% water. Then the deliming PH will be from 8-8.5 and the
phenophetalin test will be color less. After this all the material is washed and taken for
size reduction.

3*250g/100=7.5g ammonium sulphate and 150*290g/100=435 ml of water

26
Figure 8 De-liming process

2.7.6.4 Cutting(size reduction)

The skin/ hide trimming will be cut into small pieces (approcemately2” x 2”) using a
cutter. The reason of cutting delimed pelt into small pieces is to faster the process.

Figure 9 Pieces of cut trim pelt

2.7.6.5 Cooking/ Extraction

The trimmed material is cooked in stove at different temperatures in an extraction
vessel to obtain different grades of glue. Using different parameters Extraction
temperature 65-90c,coocking time between 3 to 3:30 hour until the effect is showed.

27
Figure 10Cooking of trimmed pelt
After cooking of the pelt for three hours we have to add sulphric acid into the
cooked pelt to hydrolysis. This is done when the temperature is around 60OC
and we leave over night to give time for penetration of acid into the cooked
pelt to break fiber bond inside the pelt.

2.7.6.6 Filtration
Separating the supernatant form the sludge
3.7 filtered glue liquor

28
2.7.6.7 Cooling
When the glue solution seems thick, when ready, it should set upon cooling into a
firm, easily handled piece. Pour the solution into a clean flat pan using filter paper to
filtrate the liquid glue from solid precipitate.
When cool, it should be easily handled when picked up with dry hands. If not firm
enough to handle, it will crack apart easily and maybe stick to the hands. If too wet,
evaporate it further in the sun or in a low oven until it will jell more firmly when
cooled. If not fairly easy to handle, it will stick to the drying surface.
DRYING
The drying process is by exposing to air the way we do the drying process.

29
Figure 11 Drying process of glue

30
2.8 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Table 5 chemicals and their uses
Chemicals and The purpose of used
material
Sulphric acid it is use for break collagen fibers and after we boiling hide easily
changed to glue.
Ammonium It is used for removal of lime from the from the pelt
sulphite
Litmus paper For checking of removal of lime from the penetrated
phenoliphetalin For checking of removal of lime from the penetrated
Hood For removal of odor from the work area
Glass road For stirring
Aluminum sulphite For the coagulation purposes or giving the property of
viscosity increase

2.8.1 DATA ANALYSIS

Table 6 comparing with market glue
SN Properties Conventional Test 1
1 Tackiness Low Medium

2 Color Dark brown Light brown

3 Odor Bad smell Small less
COST ANALYSIS
The company sales 1kg of pelt by 2.45 birr for local market or private enterprise
Material cost
For manufacturing of hide glue, about 3 steel container are required
We buy one steel container that required for boiling of pelt is about 2000 birr, four steel
container will be about 6000 birr per year.
1 gauge of pelt = 1610𝑘𝑔 of pelt.
As we discuss above tannery sales 3 times in month, we can multiply by
So, 3∗1610𝑘𝑔 =4830𝑘𝑔/month

1𝑘𝑔 = 4.5 𝑏𝑖𝑟

4830𝑘𝑔/month=?
=4830kg/month*4.5birr/1kg
=21,735birr/month the company get from selling the pelt

Chemical cost or cost of sulphuric acid (H2SO4) =650 birr for 4830 kg of pelt or for 3
gauge.
25𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐻2𝑆𝑂4=650 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟
We use 25L of sulphuric acid for 3 gauge of pelt.
4830 𝑘𝑔=25𝐿
25𝐿 𝑜𝑓 𝐻2𝑆𝑂4=650 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟 per month

31
Cost of ammonium sulphate(NH3(SO4)2=1200 birr for 4830kg of pelt or for 3 gauge

25L of ammonium sulphate=1200birr

65l of ammonium sulphate=?
=3120birr per month
Cost of aluminum sulphate=960 birr for 4830kg of pelt or for 3 gauge
25L of aluminum sulphate=960birr
45lAluminum sulphate=?

Chemicals L of per month Cost

Sulpheric acid 25l 650birr
Aluminum sulphate 45l 1728birr
Ammonium sulphate 65l 3120birr

Total cost of chemical=650birr+1728birr+3120birr

=5,498birr

Heat cost (wood) =2000 birr

We use 2000 birr for 3 gauge or 4830 kg of pelt for wood
4830 𝑘𝑔=2000 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟
Man power cost
We need 6 employees, we pay salary for each employee 1100 birr per month and 6600birr
per year for each 6 employees.
• So the cost of drum is not considered because already its avialable

Total cost =material cost + chemical cost + heat cost + man power cost
=8000 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟+5498 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟+2000 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟+6600 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟
=22,096 birr

Sales of 1kg of kolla/glue=50 birr

We get 10 tones or 1000kg of glue from 3 gauge or from 4830kg of pelt per month
We get 10 tones or 1000kg of glue from 3 gauge or 4830 kg of pelt
4830𝑘𝑔 of trimmed pelt =1000𝑘𝑔 amount of glue can give

To obtain total price (revenue),

1𝑘𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑙𝑢𝑒=50 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟 that is the final product
4830𝑘𝑔 = ?
=96,600 birr

𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑡=𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒−𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡

=96,600 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟−22,096𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟
=74,504𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟 month

So when the pelt is sold rather than glue =21,735birr

So, the campany profit is 74,504-21,735birr
=74,504-21,735birr

32
 = 52,769birr

2.8.2 Discussion

The production of hide glue from tannery waste is a vital process for Environmental
protection and to generate additional income for the ELCO Abyssinia tanneries. As
we see the above the result indicates that the color of the glue changes to golden the
tackiness also become high. So this all properties are depend on the following
parameters.

• De liming ph of the hide

• Nature of raw material
• Temperature and Time

2.8.3 De liming pH

De liming pH has an effect on the production of glue. The pH must be between7-8.

When the pH is greater than 8 the gelatin will be bad smell and black (dark). The pH
is lower than 7 the glue has not strength and gelatin be denatured.

2.8.4 Nature of raw material

Nature of raw material pH has an effect on the production of glue. When we used skin
the glue will not have strength.

2.8.5 Temperature

Temperature has an effect on the production of glue. The temperature must be

between 60-90c.when the temperature is greater than 90c the gelatin will be denature.
The gelatin is less than 60c the gelatins not extract from the hide.

2.8.6 Time

Time has an effect on the production of glue. The time must be 4-5 hour. When the
time is more than 5 hour gelatin will be denaturing. The time is lower than 4 hour the
gelatin will not extract from hide

33
2.9 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

2.9.1 CONCLUSIONS

From the study made at hide glue production on tannery solid waste plays important
role. Hide glue provide the opportunity for the tannery special income from the solid
waste. Properties of tackiness, odor and color are more wanted in the commercial
market, the test we made have high quality than commercial market.

Main difference of hide glue from the synthetic (chemical composed glue) is
reversibility. Hide glue is can be re- use but not synthetic glue, hide glue is not cause
any skin damage and, 100% biodegradable, non- toxic. Aesthetic of glue helps to
attract commercial market, our result have high aesthetic properties compare to
commercial
Data presented reveal that glues studied are important factors in the manufacturing
industries. modern industry relies upon various forms and composition of glues for
specific purpose .glues are classified according to the stock form which they are
made, or in terms of their fluidity, for example, animal glue, liquid glue, flake glue.
The properties of glue are not necessarily consistent for each kind of and type .each
glue embodies unique properties in itself which determines its merits for specific
purposes. To produce the best results glue processing the characteristics required for a
specific purpose should be selected and used.
The strength and character of joints made with glues are greatly influenced by the
gluing condition and the procedure followed in making joints. The conditions that
produce good joints vary with the grade of glue, the temperature at which glue is
applied and the conditions of material. When glues are applied under suitable
conditions strong joints will be produced.
Recommendation

Base on the study made , the following recommendations are given;-
➢Practically oriented training has to be given to the concerned bodies of the
tannery on how to implement solid waste management strategies (source reduction,
recycling and composting, waste transformation/waste to energy and land filling) to
manage solid waste generated from tannery.

34
➢Based on the solid waste proclamation number 513/2007, enabling conditions has
to be created to promote entrepreneurs on utilization of tannery solid wastes to
produce valuable products.
➢There is no environmental standard prepared by Environmental protection
Authority of Ethiopia on tannery solid waste disposal. Therefore, this standard should
be prepared and enforced.
➢New coming investors on tanning sector should be enforced to show detail solid
waste management strategies on his/her project proposal before issuing investment
license.

3 CHAPTER THREE

3.1 Overall Internship Benefit

During the time of internship I did get a great experience and knowledge that can
more improve what I get from the school time. Especially due to I was in the right
place of the internship for leather engineering program it helps me to improve my
work skill both practically and theoretically through training.
I learn being responsible for my work. I improve my knowledge of leather processing
and managing solid and liquid wastes. This internship has also increased my problem
solving skill because the aim of studying Engineering is to make life simple by doing
better things in a better way. Generally this internship has helped me in developing:
Practical skill
Problem solving skill
Self confidence
Communication skill

35
 Work discipline
Leadership skill enlightened my future career
decision making skill
spirit of co-operation

3.1.1 Practical Skills

During the period of internship I would have to learn about all the processes of leather
manufacturing in terms of practical working principle and I practiced them for the
further knowledge. So, I gain a fulfill experience and knowledge about how the
overall work is done and how the machines can work/operate.
3.2 Upgrading Theoretical Knowledge
Practical aspects are done as a reflection of theoretical understanding. Due to this
reason, I tried to relate each and every practical skill with the theoretical knowledge
those I learned from university and tannery that I stayed for internship. Also, I could
have to upgrade my theoretical knowledge by following each processes and by asking
difficult processes.

3.1.2 Problem Solving Skill

Attending the internship program makes me to identify the problems and then how to
solve them if the problem happened. Similarly, it gave to me the opportunity to apply
some problem solving skill learned with in the class to real world activity within the
tannery.

3.1.3 Interpersonal Communication Skills

Working in the tannery needs to work with employers and the owner for the
satisfactory work. This working environment by itself forces someone to develop his
interpersonal communication skill. However, internship program helps me to share
experience with coworkers for investigate a good communication skill.

3.1.4 Work Ethics Issues and Industrial Psychology

An internship made me to have a strong willing to work. Like;
Build motivation and work ethics.
Punctuality and accountability to a given task.
Integrity
Transparency
36
 Accountability
Serving the public interest.
Responsibility
Impartiality
Exercising leader ship
respecting the law
Confidentiality

3.1.5 Self Confidence

In my internship time I have develop my self-confidence because when we see
leather industry the hole operations needs technical knowledge and to do this one
must have self-confidence for what he is doing unless it will have a risk. If I were
allocate in some industry for a job I will not be successful because I will not have self
confidence in what I am going do. But this internship has benefited me with self -
confidence and I will be more productive in my future career.

3.1.6 Leadership Skill

Doing an Internship made me to build my confidence and knowledge on leadership
skill i.e. I am able work with my colleague and prior goal of the company and become
effective without creating any disagreement with my colleagues.
Work Discipline
The other most important thing that I gained is work discipline. In Abyssinia tannery
the work discipline is so serious and if any is not obey the discipline he will be
rejected from his job. I also agree with that because if any talented and gifted man to
do his job he should have work discipline and function according to the rule and
regulation of the company. I learned from the internship that work discipline is so
important.

3.1.7 Entrepreneur Ship Skills

Entrepreneurs are a people who are able to develop new business & affect the overall
condition of the global economy.
And the following are basic things to improve entrepreneur ship skill
Self-awareness
Self-esteem Self confidence
Self confidence

37
 References
[1]Luybavskaya, E.A., ‘Investigation of properties of protein glues’, in ICOM-CC 9th
Triennial Meeting, Dresden, Preprints,ed. K. Grimstad, International Council of
Museums, Los Angeles (1990) Vol. 1 47–50.
[2] Skans, B., ‘Analysis and properties of old animal glues’, 7. IADA International
Congress of Restorers of Graphic Art, Uppsala, Sweden, ed. K.J. Palm and M.S.
Koch, (1991) 43–50.
[3]Buck, S.L., ‘A study of the properties of commercial liquid hide glue and
traditional hot hide glue in response to changes in relative humidity and
temperature’, in AIC Wooden Artifacts Group Session, American Institute for
Conservation, Richmond, Virginia (1990).
[4]Johns, P., and Courts, A., ‘The relationship between collagen and gelatin’, in Food
Science and Technology of Gelatin, ed. A.G. Ward and A. Courts, Academic Press,
London (1977) 137–177.
[5] Hörmann, H., and Schlebusch, H., ‘Reversible and irreversible denaturation of
collagen fibres’, Biochemistry 10 (6) (1971) 932–937

38
39