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Consultancy Agreement SignedCSIR-CLRI & M/s. Vishwa-Syntharo Pharmachem

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Dr K J SreeramDirector, CSIR-CLRI

Editor-in-Chief: Dr KJ Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRIEditor : Shri G Chandrasekar, Chief ScientistEditorial co-ordination: Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Dr A Tamil Selvi, Dr Shakila Shobana, Dr D Suresh Kumar Design Team : Shri G Sathiamoorthy, Shri K Karthikeyan SPDC, CSIR-CLRIEditorial Assistance : Sri R Radhakrishnan, USD, CSIR-CLRIVisit: www.clri.org for the digital version of The LEATHER POSTFor Feedback and Comments: Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Chief Scientist, Unit for Science Dissemination, CSIR-CLRI; email: [email protected] , [email protected]

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No Description Pg.

1 73 rd Meeting of the Research Council of CSIR-CLRI 3

2 World Environment Day 2021 53 Research in focus Publications 84 CSIR COHORT study – Round III at CSIR-CLRI 105 Vaccination camp against COVID-19 10

6 36th Death Anniversary of Prof. Y. Nayudamma 11

7 Consultancy Agreement Signed 11

8 International Day of Yoga 2021 at CSIR-CLRI 12

9 CSIR-CLRI Regional Centre for Extension and Development, Kanpur 13

10 Letter From Ranipet tannery effluent treatment ltd 14

11 Awards 15

As we come out of the second wave of COVID-19, the month of June has been one of happenings. The 73rd Research Council of CSIR-CLRI under the chairmanship of Shri Habib Hussain has complimented the institute for its work and yet given suggestions for improvement. The webinar on World Environment Day has given us a way forward on areas with potential for technology translation. Our energetic team have been winning consultancy projects, grants from various agencies and so on. In the coming months, we would be spreading our reach to Ladakh through entrepreneurship and skill development programs in Leh and Kargil. Team CSIR-CLRI is charged up to enabling the technology led growth of Indian leather sector. The institute looks forward to working with the stakeholders and most importantly with the new team at CLE.

Jai Hind

Greetings and Namaskar to the Stakeholders of the leather industry and the institute!

Director’s Message

ge dksfoM&19 dh nwljh ygj ls ckgj vk, gSa] twu eghuk gekjs fy, egRoiw.kZ jgk gSA Jh gchc gqlSu dh vè;{krk esa lh,lvkÃvkj&lh,yvkjvkÃ dh 73oÈ vuqlaèkku ifj"kn us laLFkku ds dk;Z ds fy, bldh cèkkÃ nh gS vkSj lqèkkj ds fy, lq>ko Hkh fn, gSaA foÜo i;kZoj.k fnol ij vk;ksftr osfcukj us gesa çkS|ksfxdh gLrkarj.k dh laHkkouk okys {ks=ksa esa vkxs c<+us dk ekxZ ç’kLr fd;k gSA gekjh ÅtkZoku Vhe fofHkUu ,tsafl;ksa vkfn ls ijke’kZ ifj;kstukvksa] vuqnku çkIr dj jgh gSA vkus okys eghuksa esa] ge ysg vkSj dkjfxy esa m|ferk vkSj dkS’ky fodkl dk;ZØeksa ds ekè;e ls yík[k rd viuh igqap c<+k,axsA lh,lvkÃvkj&lh,yvkjvkÃ dh Vhe Hkkjrh; peZ {ks= ds çkS|ksfxdh vkèkkfjr fodkl dks l{ke cukus esa leFkZ gSA laLFkku fgrèkkjdksa ds lkFk vkSj fo’ks"kdj peZ fu;kZr ifj”kn dh uÃ Vhe ds lkFk dke djus ds fy, rRij gSA

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73rd Meeting of the Research CouncilCSIR-CLRI

The 73rd Meeting of the Research Council (RC) of CSIR-CLRI was held on 18 June 2021 under the chairmanship of Shri. Habib Hussain, CEO, AV Thomas Leather & Allied Products Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. Shri Aqeel Ahmed, Former Chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Chennai, Dr S K Sundararaman, Chairman, Indian Technical Textiles Association, Mumbai, Prof G Mugesh, IISc, Bangalore, Prof. Dilip Dhavale, University of Pune, Prof Hemalatha Balram, JNCASR, Bangalore, Dr. Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, and Dr. Manjula Reddy, Chief Scientist, CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad were the members of RC participated in the meeting. Chairman, RC expressed that the institute shall act as a bridge between industry, technological institutes, and management institutes and share the best practices to be followed for the benefit of the industry. Dr. K J Sreeram, Director, presented the report on the Staff strength, R & D Projects, Externally funded projects, Contribution to Human Resource Development, and

the Publication and Patent portfolio of the institute. He also highlighted the major initiative on Indian Foot Sizing System, Niche projects for strategic sector, Industrial R&D towards sustainability. CSIR-CLRI focus activities on Services to Industry, Societal initiatives, New Project Proposals, Initiatives to promote young scientists and CLRI@75 were discussed. Dr N Nishad Fathima, Senior Principal Scientist presented the progress of the project entitled ‘Chemicals for Low Temperature Applications of Leather in Strategic sector (CHILLS)’.

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Dr R Aravindhan, Principal Scientist elaborated the role of CSIR-CLRI in attaining sustainability in leather sector. Shri Md Sadiq, Chief Scientist highlighted the efforts of the institute towards revising the specifications for sizing and fitting of footwear. Dr P Thanikaivelan, Senior Principal Scientist and Dr K

Phebe Aaron, Senior Principal Scientist presented the proposals on Much of Muchness :Leather-Like Materials for Life-Style Product Applications, and Smart Footwear respectively as part of Niche creating initiatives of the institute.

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CSIR- CENTRAL LEATHER RESEARCH INSTITUTEAdyar, Chennai – 600 020

WWOORRLLDD EENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTTAALL DDAAYY CELEBRATIONS 2021

MODERATORDr S. Rajamani, Chairman, International Union of Environment Commission

Members of the Panel

Mr. Rajesh Pandey, IAS“Government Facilitations for Protection of Environment”

Dr. Sukumar Devotta“CSIR and Industry Interface”

Mr. Ivan Kral“UNIDO interventions for Leather Sector in Eastern Region”

Mr. D.P. Mathuria“National Perception on Win-WinSituation of Industry and Environment”

Theme: Leather - Generation and Restoration 05th June 2021 || 11.30 AM - 1.10 PM

Mr. Imran Ahmed KhanDr. Sanjoy Chakraborti“Interaction of Academia, Research and Industry”

“Sustainability of Leather Industry inEastern Region - Willingness of theIndustry for Protection of Environment”

Mr. Sundeep Singh Mr. Susanta Mallick“Regulations and Industrial Development”

“Role of ILTA for Promotion of Leather Sector”

Welcome AddressDr K J Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5th June to encourage consciousness on environmental protection and to spread awareness about threat to the environment due to rising pollution levels and climate change. CSIR-CLRI celebrated this year’s World Environment Day by holding a virtual panel discussion on the theme “Leather- Generation and Restoration”.

Dr. K.J. Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI welcomed the moderator, panellists and participants and highlighted the quick strides taken by the leather sector in Kolkata. He highlighted cleaner technologies developed by CSIR-CLRI to protect the environment.

Dr. S. Rajamani, former Director-in-charge, CSIR-CLRI and the Chairman of International Union of Environment (IUE) Commission, moderated the panel discussion.

Dr. Sukumar Devotta, Former Director, CSIR-National Environment Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur and consultant to leading Indian and International agencies, described that CSIR is known not only for science and research but also for technology. Praising the founders of CSIR-CLRI, he requested the leather industry to take up 17

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for preserving the environment. Dr Devotta advised the industrialists and researchers to reflect and try to fulfil at least 7 to 8 goals to begin with. He emphasised on how solid waste management is the key to environment protection and to comply with regulations itself is the solution to keeping the environment safe. Further, the need for minimizing waste and salt in the processes to be addressed by physical chemists and chemical engineers. He concluded that the source segregation of wastes is essential for a better environment. Mr. Ivan Kral, Project Manager at United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) Agribusiness Development Department dwelled upon the Sustainable Development Goals of UNIDO. He highlighted the interventions focused on value chain performances like improving market

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access for leather and leather products, fostering innovation in leather industries, developing advanced industrial manufacturing skills and assessing sector performance and opportunities. In this CSIR-CLRI to be the key player in assisting the industry in reducing carbon footprint. There is a need to focus on the safety aspect of the users, workers and the community at large. Promotion of good management, responsibility, financial discipline and development of skilled human resources are important to achieve environment sustainability. He emphasised the importance of UNIDO-CLRI partnership in various developmental programs such as establishment of Common Effluent Treatment Plants, design of common facility centres etc.

Mr. D.P. Mathuria, Officer at Central Water Engineering Services and Executive Director (Technical) under National Mission for Clean Ganga presented an optimistic view of the leather industry in Uttar Pradesh which provides employment to over 4.5 million people. He appreciated CSIR-CLRI’s efforts in providing technology solutions to reduce pollution. There is a need for NGOs, agencies and other participant industries to come forward to address the solid waste problems, as it is a big issue intolerable to sustainable environmental standards. Technology should be affordable to even smaller industrialists and requested the technology providers to have a relook at the pricing of technology transfers. He appealed to CSIR-CLRI, government agencies and NGOs to hold the hands with the leather industry to save the environment through modernisation.

Dr. Sanjoy Chakraborti, Principal, Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology,

Kolkata emphasised the importance of Common Effluent Treatment Plant to address the issue of pollution for a cleaner environment. He also highlighted the importance of biological process in treating pollutants to promote sustainable agriculture and pisciculture. He provided an insight into the efforts of chemical industries striving to give eco-friendly products that are affordable in leather processing. He commended the Kolkata leather industry in optimization of technology and proper treatment of polluting tannery wastewater.

Mr. Imran Ahmed Khan, honourable secretary of the Calcutta Leather Complex Tanners Association (CLCTA), Kolkata spoke about the shrinking ecosystem and underlined the need for sustainability is ‘conserving the ecosystem by the present generation for the benefit of the future generation’. He urged the industry to adopt and follow guidelines like ISO, Total Quality Management vis-à-vis environment corrective actions and emphasised on the need to improve ownership pattern, market dependency, legislation and reduction of carbon footprint. He thanked CSIR-CLRI for the technology of developing biogas from solid wastes. Since disposal of solid wastes was itself costly, he said how new technology was available to make shoe heels and pavement tiles from the solid waste.

Mr. Sundeep Singh, Director at Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Additional Project Director for Society of Integrated Coastal Management explained that leather processing was a complex area, starting from raw materials to finished products. The leather industry should take the initiative and big industry houses must start good practices. Common Effluent Treatment Plants focus

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only on wastewater treatment and it must also expand to include solid waste management. Assistance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has helped the industry to sustain business promotion because the leather industry has a great potential for employment and is considered as an earning sector. Regulation has to become a part of process in the industry and it is bringing good results like waterless tanning, zero discharge processes etc. He suggested the industry to explore cold chain transportation and to have tie ups with slaughter houses to reduce salt. He indicated that the technologies available with other industries like sugar mills to reduce water recovery cost can also be adopted. He lauded the efforts of CSIR-CLRI in providing technology and knowledge for the leather sector.

Mr. Susanta Mallick, an entrepreneur and General Secretary of Indian Leather Technologists’ Association (ILTA) spoke about the Association’s activities in uplifting the industry by publishing books, journals and periodicals for students/scholars for the past 70 years. ILTA has helped many smaller entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses to become exporters. He stressed the need to create awareness among the public to differentiate between genuine leather and synthetic materials. Leather has always dominated the market for its quality and properties. He prompted the industries to utilize the modern technologies available these days. He concluded by requesting the chemical industries to avoid the usage of diluters in leather chemicals as it damages the environment.

Dr. K.J. Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI made the concluding remarks on the way forward:There is a strong need to immediately put in place appropriate and cost-effective technologies for turning solid wastes into viable products that would stand the test of time.

A concerted effort to reduce waste generation in the industry, including through use of chemicals of appropriate quality is of paramount importance. The research institutions and agencies such as Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) need to revise the quality standards of input chemicals to meet the present requirements. An easily accessible compendium of Best Available Technologies (BAT) complete with cost and sustainability parameters is required such that the industry can make the right choice in the selection of technologies. Government agencies can also thus frame policies for supporting appropriate technologies depending on regional considerations.

A workgroup to develop a roadmap for the leather sector region wise is proposed. The workgroup to be led by CSIR-CLRI with the panellists and members from stakeholder agencies for developing region specific implementation roadmap for the leather sector.

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Research in focus Publications

Biodegradability Study of Footwear Soling Materials in Simulated Compost Environment

Synthetic polymer materials play very important roles in our daily lives. The application of these materials in footwear is increasingly replacing natural materials. Polymeric materials such as polyurethane (PU), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are slowly replacing the natural materials, leather and natural rubber (NR), as shoe sole materials. In the present study, the end-of-life nature of footwear soling materials currently used by the footwear industries is explored to emphasize the importance of the development and use of biodegradable materials in footwear manufacturing. Biodegradability and decomposing properties of the present footwear soling materials viz. LA, NR, PU, TPU, EVA, and TPR, were successfully investigated in a simulated compost environment (ASTM D5998) for a period up to 90 days and the results were compared. All shoe soling materials were characterized for physical and physicochemical properties before and after exposure to the simulated compost environment.

The decomposition rate of the LA sole sample was

higher than the NR sole sample. In NR, along with physical properties, structural changes were also observed after 90 days of the degradation period. PU and EVA sole samples showed significant changes in the physical properties, such as appearance, weight, tensile strength, hardness, density, and abrasion resistance. However, no significant structural change was observed in the ATR-IR, SEM, TGA, and DSC results. The results proved that in terms of biodegradability, leather is the best footwear soling material and, TPR and TPU are the most stable among all the polymeric materials, to date. The present study not only emphasized the importance of developing and using biodegradable materials in footwear manufacturing but also identified the stable polymeric soling materials, which will be helpful to establish the four ‘R’ system of waste management for environmental sustainability.

Moumita Mukherjee, T. Loganathan, Sujata Mandal, G. Saraswathy

JALCA, VOL. 116, No 2: 58 – 68 (2021).

Step-wise procedure for the placement of samples and filling of the pot with soil - compost mixture

SEM images (100 μm scale) of the Leather sole samples a) before, b) after 30 days, c) after 60 days and d) after 90 days of exposure to the simulated compost environment.

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Research in focus Publications

Dual semiconductor nanocomposites for enhanced visible light photocatalysis

A visible light responsive redox-mediator free calcium indium sulphide (CaIn2S4) and bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) based direct dual semiconductor nanocomposites were prepared by a combination of hydrothermal and wetness impregnation methods. The visible light response of Bi2WO6 was considerably enhanced after combining with CaIn2S4 that was confirmed by UV-Vis-DRS analysis. The adsorption capacity and visible light photocatalytic efficiency of nanocomposites were tested by performing the adsorption and degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye reactions. The adsorption capacity of Bi2WO6 was significantly improved after coupling with CaIn2S4. Among the nanocomposites, 15%-CaIn2S4 / Bi2WO6 showed higher adsorption towards RhB dye that leads to higher percentage degradation of RhB

(82%) dye. The enhancement in the photocatalytic activity is also due to the efficient separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs via inter-cross sectional transfer mechanism which was confirmed by photoluminescence analysis. These observations are useful fordesigning novel visible light responsive nanocomposite materials for degradation of environmental pollutants.

Thillai Sivakumar Natarajan* and Rajesh J Tayade*

Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2021, Volume No: 23, Article number: 127

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CSIR Cohort Study Round III at CSIR-CLRI

To collect information on Seropositivity – development/stability of IgG antibody against Covid infection, Immune response and its stability in time following Covid Vaccination a Random blood sample collection for serology test (Round III) for CSIR-CLRI staff members and their family members including children above 5 years of age, Students, Research Scholars, Contractual staff members of CSIR-CLRI and CSIR pensioners was conducted on 25, 30 June and 1 July 2021.

Vaccination camp against COVID-19Greater Chennai Corporation organized a COVID vaccination camp at CSIR-CLRI on 25 June 2021. Around 281 Staff members and their dependents, Research Scholars/Contract staff got vaccinated against COVID-19 at the camp.

The Leather Post1010

Prof Y Nayudamma 36 th Ann iversary

Consultancy Agreement SignedA Consultancy agreement has been signed between CSIR-CLRI and M/s. Vishwa-Syntharo Pharmachem Private Limited, Chennai for developing a process for the manufacture of Basic Chromium Sulphate (BCS).


Yoga is an ancient form of practice originating from India that brings wellbeing in all forms: physical, mental and spiritual. In the words of our Prime Minister: “Yoga is a symbol

of universal aspiration for health and wellbeing. It is health assurance in zero budget”. Truly, this is practiced all throughout the globe for the welfare of physical and mental health.

As part of the Yoga Day celebrations, a virtual seminar was organised at CSIR-CLRI on 21st June 2021.

Dr. B. Madhan, Senior Principal Scientist, welcomed the Chief Guest Swami Mahamedhananda of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and is also the Editor of The Vedanta Kesari, a cultural and spiritual monthly English magazine for the virtual seminar. Dr. K.J. Sreeram, Director, CSIR-CLRI shared his reminiscences of yoga during his childhood. He encouraged the seniors who practiced yoga to guide the newcomers and youngsters at CSIR-CLRI. He said that he was sure he would rejuvenate the practice of yoga at home. Director also administered the Yoga Day Pledge both in Hindi and English to the staff members of CSIR-CLRI. In his Chief Guest address, the Swamiji gave an insight into yoga in today’s relevance Vis-a-Vis the scientific community. He was of the opinion that only when there is union of body and mind that one attains a fruitful life. Asanas help in bring the body and mind into unison to channelize the energies in a scientific way. Scientists must practice, yoga for the mind and asanas for the body.

It is important to keep the mind skilful along with

maintaining a healthy body. Both these constitute the purpose of human beings. Swamiji further dwelled

on the aspects of certain qualities that build up along with practice of yoga. They are Ahimsa (nonviolence), Sathyam (truth), bramhacharyam (moderation of senses), controlling anger, not taking sides, cleanliness, content, self-study, surrendering to higher forms etc.,Yoga enables on to achieve highest purpose of life, brings morality into life. Quoting Swami Vivekananda “Each soul is potentially divine”, he said asanas

controls nature and the body both internally and externally.

A video of staff of CSIR-CLRI performing yoga was shown during the event.

International Day of Yoga 2021 at CSIR-CLRI


CSIR-CLRI Regional Centre for Extension and Development

Kanpur

Kanpur Leather Clusters Kanpur is one of the major leather clusters in India. There are three tanning clusters in the areas covering Kanpur and Lucknow, namely Jajmau, Banthar and Unnao. About 0.2 million tons of rawhides and skins are converted into finished leathers per annum from these three clusters, which accounts to about 29% of the country’s leather production.

Regional centre of CLRI at Kanpur was established in 1963 andwith a mandateto provide technical services such as consultancy, testing, training and technology provision to the leather and leather product industries

in the Northern states of the country, specifically Uttar Pradesh.

Kanpur leather cluster is the only cluster from where saddlery leathers and related products are manufactured. Over the years the Centre has significantly contributed in the manufacture of saddlery leathers and related products and development of human resource. Since inception, the centre has been providing technical services, testing services, training and other necessary support to the industry.

Accomplishments and achievements 6 Introduction of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket

(USAB) in tanneries 6 Organising bridle making training programs 6 Chromium recovery in commercial scale 6 Carcass recovery project and Rural Development

Program 6 Participation in footwear size survey, Kanpur

tannery capacity utilization survey 6 Footwear grading under NLDP 6 Preparation of DPR for the common wastewater

treatment plant of Jajmau 6 Contributions to National Skill Development

Program 6 Introduction of Waterless Chrome Tanning

Technology (WCTT) in 40 tanneries 6 Transferred zero wastewater discharge

technology in 3 tanneries

� Pilot Tannery � Laboratory for chemical testing, Leather

and wastewater characterization with major equipment’s given hereunder

� UV-Vis Spectrophotometer � Fourier-transform infrared

spectroscopy (FT-IR) with Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR)

� Microscope

Facilities at RCED, Kanpur



Mr. P. Kanthasamy, Principal Technical Officer, Environment Engineering Department has about 38 years of exemplary service in various CSIR Labs/Institutes, including CSIR Head Quarters, New Delhi.

Mr. V. Ganesan, Sr. Technician (2), Transport Cell CSIR-CLRI has served as Staff Car Driver for 33 years.

Mr. M. Thiruselvam, Guest House Assistant, Guest House, CSIR-CLRI has served the institute for 29 years

The Director and Staff wish them a happy and

healthy retired life

Happy Retirement

A w a r d sCongradulations to Mrs. S Gopika, SRF,BioChemistry & BioTechnology Lab for the best oral presentation award in ICN3IC-21 virtual meet


@ CSIR - CLRIlifeCAMPUS

Mr. P Uvaraj

Mr. E Guruprasath

Mr. U Mani

Mr. Md Sadiq

Dr Indrasis Das

A Ranjith Kumar

J NivethaDr D Murugan

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Consultancy Agreement Signed