Product: Sumac Extract

Botanical name: Rhus Coriaria

Origin: South Europe

Tanning classification
Hydrolysable (acidic former) tanning materials

Specification (all values according to the filter method)

Description
Sumac-extract is a tanning agent, which can be manufactured out of a number of different Sumac plants: the most popular are 'Rhus Coriaria' - (Tanners-Sumac), 'Rhus Cotinus' - (Wig Tree), 'Coriaria Myrtifolica' - (Tanners Bush) und 'Rhus Glabra' - (American Sumac, also called white Sumac), which all belong to the group of Sumac (Anacardiaceae) plants and which have a high tannin content. One popular Sumac plant in Germany is the Tanners Sumac (Essigbaum) tree, which is poisonous and does not contain usable tannin. The manufacturing of the extract is done by a macerating process, whereby the dried leaves are pulverized. The powder is manufactured afterwards through a spray drying process. In the Mediterranean area the fruits of the 'Rhus Coriaria' are used as a spice.

Application
Sumac tanned leathers are soft, flexible und have a very light colour. Sumac is one of the most noble tanning extracts, but also one of the most expensive ones. This extract is used to manufacture very fine leathers (Morocco or Cordovan leather), which have to be very light and soft. It is also used for the so-called 'sumacizing', which is a type of re-tanning with sumac extract in order to lighten up the leather. A further purpose is the pre-treatment of certain coloured leathers. The sumac tanned leathers distinguish by a special light fastness. Sumac extracts belong to the finest tanning agents and nearly white leather can be obtained with them.

Qualities
1. light yellow spray-dried powder made of 'Rhus Cotinus'
2. yellow/khaki coloured spray-dried powder made of 'Rhus Coriaria' and 'Rhus Cotinus'
3. yellow spray-dried powder made of 'Rhus Coriaria' and 'Rhus Cotinus'

Packing
Supply in bags or small drums. Other package sizes on request.