Overview
ISO 22244:2020 provides comprehensive guidelines for the preservation of raw hides, specifically targeting hides from cattle and horses. This international standard defines various preservation methods designed to suppress microbiological activity and maintain the hides’ quality and commercial value during storage. Proper preservation is critical to ensure hides remain in optimal condition for subsequent leather production processes. The preservation techniques outlined help prevent microbial spoilage, physical and chemical damage, and defects caused during storage and handling.
Key Topics
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Preservation Methods: ISO 22244:2020 covers essential preservation techniques including drying, wet salting, dry salting, brining, and chilling. Each method is described in detail with emphasis on maintaining moisture content and preventing biological decay.
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Salt Characteristics: Guidelines specify the use of high-quality rock salt containing at least 98% sodium chloride, with minimal impurities such as calcium, magnesium, and iron compounds. Salt particle size (2-3 mm) is critical for effective preservation to avoid uneven salt coverage or loss during handling.
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Salt Quantity: The standard recommends using salt at 25% to 30% of the fresh hide weight for adequate dehydration, crucial to inhibiting microbial growth.
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Auxiliary Substances: It advises on safe additives, such as sodium carbonate, to prevent staining and deterioration, while strictly prohibiting toxic substances like pentachlorophenol.
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Quality and Defect Prevention: The document highlights defects to avoid in preserved hides, including overdrying, insect infestation, salt stains, discolorations (such as red-heat caused by halophilic bacteria), and cracks from freezing or improper storage.
Applications
ISO 22244:2020 serves as an essential reference for professionals involved in the leather industry:
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Slaughterhouses and Tanneries: Ensures proper initial treatment and conditioning of hides before preservation, optimizing quality for leather processing.
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Leather Manufacturers: Provides best practices that help maintain hide integrity, facilitating easier processing and superior end-product quality.
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Storage and Transportation: Helps in planning effective storage conditions and transport logistics by reducing hide weight and volume through dry salting and chilling methods.
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Quality Control Teams: Assists in identifying potential preservation-related defects and establishing quality assurance protocols to minimize economic losses.
Related Standards
For further guidance and integration within the leather production chain, stakeholders should consider associated ISO standards including:
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ISO/TC 120: Technical committee responsible for leather standards, offering broader frameworks and related norms.
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ISO 20486: Covers leather testing methods to assess hide quality post-preservation.
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ISO 2418: Standards for raw materials and chemicals used in tanning and hide preservation.
Implementing ISO 22244:2020 guidelines supports sustainable leather production by minimizing waste and ensuring hides retain maximum commercial value through scientifically backed preservation processes. Adherence to this standard strengthens product consistency, safety, and market acceptance in the global leather industry.
