- The plant will be commissioned in 2026.
- It will produce tannins for millions of square meters of leather.
- Södra Innovation has been researching bark tannins since 2006.
- The process involves leaching tannins from bark for leather tanning.
Investment in Eco-Friendly Tanning
Södra is investing in a new production line at its Värö facility to create a vegetable tanning agent from bark. This initiative aims to provide a more environmentally friendly method for processing leather. The plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2026 and will have the capacity to produce tannins for millions of square meters of leather.
Project Approval and Capacity
The Board of Directors at Södra has approved the project, which will be integrated into the existing Värö mill. The facility is expected to produce enough tanning material to cover millions of square meters of leather, significantly contributing to the leather industry's shift towards sustainable practices.
Research and Development
Since 2006, Södra Innovation, a division within the member-owned forest group Södra, has been researching how to efficiently process tannins found in tree bark for use as tanning agents. While using bark for tanning is not a new concept, Södra is now industrializing the process to extract the tanning substance and convert it into a viable product for leather tanning.
Patented Process
The new patented process allows Södra to utilize a previously unused resource—bark—to create a product that supports the leather industry's transition to more sustainable tanning methods. This development highlights Södra's commitment to innovation and sustainable resource use.
