Äschern General
Liming is an important step in leather production.
Liming takes place before tanning and serves to loosen the hair and epidermis (outermost layer of skin) from the rawhide, making them easier to remove. Liming also prepares the skin fibers for the absorption of tanning agents.
The “liming” process got its name from the wood ash that was previously used for this process.
Liming process
The raw hides are placed in barrels or so-called mixers with alkaline solution.
The following happens through the chemical process:
- The hair and epidermis on the rawhide are loosened so that they can be easily removed.
- The subcutaneous fat is loosened, and fats and proteins that impair leather quality are removed.
- The skin is “opened up” and the fibers are loosened to allow the tannins to penetrate and bond with the skin.
- This is followed by swelling of the skin, which is crucial for the subsequent quality of the leather.
Schwöden / Anschwöden
Another hair removal process is liming or liming. This process preserves the fur or wool. A chemical is applied to the flesh side of the hide, penetrating the underside of the hide and dissolving the hair roots without damaging the hair. Liming or liming produces a so-called pelt.
Additional sources (accessed 15.01.2019):
- lederzentrum(punkt)de/wiki/index.php/Äschern
- leder-info(punkt)de/index.php/Äscher
- lederpedia(dot)de/leather production/aescher/aescher
