What's oxalic acid usage in leather industry

What's oxalic acid usage in leather industry?

In the leather industry, oxalic acid is used for two main purposes:

Removing Iron Stains: Iron stains are a common problem in the leather industry. These stains can be caused by iron-rich water, iron hardware, or iron particles in the air. Oxalic acid is used to remove these stains from leather by chelating with the iron and forming a soluble complex that can be washed away.

Pre-tanning Process: Oxalic acid is used as a pre-tanning agent to prepare the hides or skins for the tanning process. It helps to remove residual lime and other impurities from the hides or skins, making them more receptive to the tanning agents.

However, it should be noted that oxalic acid is a hazardous substance, and its use in the leather industry should be carefully controlled to ensure worker safety and environmental protection. Proper personal protective equipment should be worn when handling oxalic acid, and its use and disposal should be strictly regulated.