A private firm has taken initiatives to produce protein filler, gelatin and collagen from tannery waste to improve waste management in the leather industry and ensure environment-friendly production.
Bangladesh JW Animal Protein Co. Ltd, a Chinese-invested recycling enterprise, has already produced protein filler, gelatin and collagen on a trial basis.
Sources at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) said BSCIC has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh JW Animal Protein Co. Ltd. to produce protein filler by chrome separation.
The company has already set up a large factory with its own ETP in the Nayarhat area of Savar and has started trial production. The factory recycles tannery waste (leather scraps and chrome shaving dust) into high-value exportable products.
Established in 2023, the company operates a plant on nine acres of land in Nayarhat, Savar, and exports products such as gelatin and industrial protein powder to China and Russia.
Parvez Khan, an interpreter at Bangladesh JW Animal Protein Co. Ltd told BSS that the firm has not yet been able to go into full-scale production.
“The construction of the factory is yet to be completed. Once the construction is complete, we will be able to process all the tannery waste generated in the leather industry in Savar,” he said.
He said about 20,000 tonnes of tannery waste is generated in the Savar leather industry.
Parvez said preparations have also been taken to produce raw materials for gelatin and capsules from the rawhide scraps.
Mizanur Rahman, the head of BSCIC's leather cell, said if these initiatives are implemented, they will not only check environmental pollution, but also create new value additions to the leather industry and create opportunities to earn foreign exchange.
BSCIC officials said several more companies have been involved in tannery waste management.
Those are- Orion Trading Corporation, Ayub Brothers Tannery Limited, Reza Leather Export, AN International Company Limited, Alamgir Leather Complex and Feni Tannery Private Limited.
