Ethiopian hides and skins contain so little fat that tanneries need only small amounts of degreasing chemicals to turn them into leather, according to a three-year study of 37 local breeds.
Pouches made from Ethiopian leather, January 2025 (Sindugab, Wikimedia Commons, CC0) [file photo]
The study, titled “Ethiopia’s Hide and Skin: Histological, Microscopic, Physical and Chemical Characterization, Defect Analysis and Technical Up-gradation,” was released on 17 July 2019, the Ethiopian business portal 2merkato reported. It covered 12 cattle breeds, 15 sheep breeds and 10 goat breeds.
Researcher Mohammed Hussein said the fat content of Ethiopian hides and skins ranges from 3 to 13 percent, which he described as no significant fat. Ethiopian sheepskin has an average nitrogen content of 13.5 percent, which makes it easier to process into leather.
He said Ethiopian hides and skins have a thick corium, the dense inner layer that gives leather its strength, along with good substance and a fine grain pattern on the surface.
“Tanneries, therefore, need to reduce degreasing chemicals as this causes unnecessary wastage,” Mohammed said. The study also identified which breeds are best suited for upgrading.
It listed the main defects that lower the value of Ethiopian hides and skins: skin disease, knife cuts, pox, scars and wounds, and gauge marks.
Sources: 2merkato