Alum Tawing

There is another process used in the preparation of hides before their use as leather. This process uses alum and aluminium salts, generally in conjunction with other products such as egg yolk, flour, and other salts. It is called ‘tawing’ and not tanning because the resultant leather has the potential to rot in water.

The process increases the leather's pliability and softness. The adding of egg yolk and flour to the standard soaking solution further enhances the fine handling characteristics of the finished product. Tawing was traditionally used on pigskins and goatskins to create the whitest colors. However, exposure and aging may cause slight yellowing over time and the resultant leather is not as pliable as vegetable tanned leather.

The type of tanning process used is dependent upon the use to which the finished leather is to be put. All the processes undoubtedly have their merits and demerits so it is important to consider all these factors when choosing your leather raw materials.