Tannery Inside

Tanning

The latest tanning technology is implemented throughout the tannery. The process includes a fully automatic water dispensing system and a chemical dozing and process control system with a capacity of 16,000 skins per month.

A research and development facility has been set up independently from production within the tannery. State of the art equipment including 11 experimental drums with all the necessary machinery and tests to develop new products according to our customer requirements. All processes are constantly being revised to make them more environmentally friendly. An excellent balance of technical staff and continual in-house training, ostrich leather of the very highest quality is produced.

Finishing

12 Different finishes ranging from fully aniline to fully pigmented are produced. The aniline finish is done totally by hand while semi-aniline and full pigmented are done with an automatic finishing system.

Test Laboratory

Klein Karoo Co-op has an on-site test laboratory, that has the capability to test the following characteristics of the ostrich hide:

Tear resistance (strength)
Tensile strength
Thickness
Stitch Tear
Adhesion of Finish
Elongation
Flex (Crack) Resistance
Rub fastness
Color Crock (wet and dry)
Resistance to Yellowing of Heat ageing
Resistance to Cleaning Agents
Color matching with Datacolor Microflash 200d Portable Spectrophotometer

In-process testing: Chemical dosing, flows, temperature, mass pH levels, etc.

Off-site: Access to certified laboratories for occasional testing of low frequency criteria and confirmation of international test results.

Specifications

When skins are tanned and finished for the automotive industry it becomes essential that the skins comply exactly with the specifications of each automotive manufacturer. The specifications differ between different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), therefore the specifications of Klein Karoo Co-op are general specifications.