How To Start Tannery Business | SkillsAndTech

Starting a tannery or leather processing unit is a lucrative business in India. Here in this article, we intend to provide a detailed tannery business plan to the entrepreneurs who look for the same.

A tannery is a hide and skin processing unit that produce quality finished leathers. And leather products manufacturing companies are the major consumer of finished leather. Additionally, leather tanning is one of the traditional industries in India.

The livestock industry in our country is very promising. So the hide and skins are readily available here. And hide and skins are the major byproduct of the meat processing centers.

Large animals are said to have “hides” (e.g. cowhide, buffalo hide) and smaller animals are said to have “skins” (e.g. goatskin, sheepskin). Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are the major leather-producing states in India.

Most of the world’s output of leather is produced from cattle hides, goatskins, and sheepskins. Hides and skins undergo a number of processing stages before a final product called finished leather is reached. According to your investment capacity and raw material availability, you can initiate a tanning unit anywhere in the country.

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Tannery Market Potential

Generally, the growth of the tannery business depends on the increasing demand for finished leather. And the demand for finished leather is increasing not only in the domestic market but also in the international market. India is a major leather exporter globally.

The major exporting countries for Indian Finished Leather are Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, Spain, the USA, China, and Korea.

Additionally, there are several aspects of boosting the growth of the industry. The availability of cheap labor, availability of good quality hides and skins are the major reasons for the extensive growth of the leather industry. Additionally, the introduction of the chrome tanning process and technical assistance from the Central Leather Research Institute are boosting the growth.

The global demand for leather and leather products continues to increase day by day. In addition, there are several Government schemes for helping the entrepreneur in the leather industry. These schemes help to get cooperation in marketing, export, and licensing factors.

Tannery Business Compliances

Tannery or leather processing business demands different types of registrations and licenses from the Govt. authority. However, it also depends on the mode of operation. It is advisable to talk to a small business expert before commencing the business. Here, we put some of the basic requirements.

First of all, determine the form of your company and register the business. It is advisable, not to start a tannery business as a proprietorship. Because other forms of organizations help in securing funding and other cooperation from several authorities.
Apply for the MSME Udyog Aadhaar online registration
Apply for Trade License from the Municipal authority.
In addition, you will need to have permission from the Pollution Control Board. This is a very crucial aspect of this business. Generally, a leather processing unit produces both solid and liquid waste. And you must have an Effluent Treatment Plant to reduce pollution.

Check the tax liabilities. GST registration is a must in India at present to carry out a manufacturing business.
Tannery Setup & Machinery

Location selection is the most important factor in setting up the processing unit. It is advisable to start the tannery in an industrial zone. If you establish the unit in a domestic area then you probably face objections from the neighboring residents. Generally, a small-scale tannery demands an area of 5000 Sq Ft built-up area. Additionally, you must have the extra open sky premises within the unit.

In selecting the space, check the transportation facility and the availability of skilled laborers. In addition, electricity and water source are the major concern in establishing the leather processing unit. You may need to arrange a groundwater supply arrangement for your factory.

Tannery Machinery

You can start a leather processing unit in two ways. One is semi-automatic and another is fully automatic. However, it is advisable to start the unit on a fully-automatic basis. Also, procure the total plant from a reputed machinery manufacturer. Here we put a list of some basic requirements.

Drum with 5HP motor shaft pulley
Electrical Unit Heater for Stuffing Drum 5HP
Shaving Machine – single width
Electrical Hand Operated Setting Out Machine
Lace Cutting Machine
Spraying Machine with Dryer
Hydraulic Press
Brushing Machine with Dryer
Miscellaneous other equipment.

Finished Leather Manufacturing Technology

Procure Raw Leather

First of all, you have to procure the wet blue skins from other plants. However, you can also procure raw hides and skins. After procuring, you have to classify the skin.

Re-tanning

This involves re-treatment of wet blue skins, which are placed in drums.

Pre-finishing activities

In this section, skins are “horsed up” (i.e., racked for a period of time set out), color dyed, stretched, dried using hot air, and then ironed.

Finishing

This involves classification and cutting (including sorting and trimming), spraying, and final conditioning. It includes staking, buffing, and milling. The latter operations are all carried out “dry”.

Raw Materials For Tannery

The major required raw material is Wet Blue Hides. In addition, you have to procure Lacquer emulsions, Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium acetate, Formaldehyde, and Dyes (different colors).

In addition, you have to hire employees for the operation. However, you have to hire the employees in the top-level administration very carefully. A production manager and one finance head are the musts. Additionally, you can plan according to the size of the output of your tannery.

How To Start Tannery Business | SkillsAndTech

Tannery Market Potential

Tannery Business Compliances

Tannery Machinery