Broad Scope of Work of CSIR-CLRI
Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) was instituted in the year 1948 as one of the constituent laboratories of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) with the core mandate of providing technological and other support aiming the growth of the Indian leather industry. Since its inception, CLRI has been working very closely with the industry and other stakeholders. Linkage between the industry and institute benefitted both the institute on one hand and brought about growth of sectors on the other. The major contributions of CSIR-CLRI are mentioned below.
Technology Supply to Industries
CSIR-CLRI has been a major source of technology for the industry. Specifically, CSIR-CLRI has been very active in providing technologies connected to wastewater treatment, solid waste utilization, leather manufacturing and leather chemical manufacturing. In the leather-manufacturing avenue, CSIR-CLRI had translated technologies such as pickle free chrome tanning process, and zero wastewater discharge process. In the recent past, CSIR-CLRI has translated the game-changing technology of Waterless chrome tanning to around 50 tanning units in India. The major technologies that had been translated to the industry aiming environmental protection include wastewater treatment for pathogen removal, Fenton Activated Carbon Catalytic Oxidation (FACCO), Electro Catalytic Oxidation (ECO), Chemo Autotrophic Activated Carbon Oxidation (CAACO), Fluidized Immobilized Carbon Catalytic Oxidation (FICCO), and Enzyme Immobilized Carbon Oxidation (ENICO). CSIR-CLRI has translated the technology of manufacture of chrome-melamine syntan and biodegradable dispersing agent for dry tanning. CSIR-CLRI has translated many other technologies including Diabetic footwear, Collagen sponge, Bone implant, Fibrogel, Demineralized Bone Matrix, Collagen sheet, Regenerated leather, leather thread and bio-adhesive.
Generation of Knowledge Manpower and Skilled Manpower
CSIR-CLRI had been conducting academic programmes such as B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. programmes in Leather and Leather Products technology and had been an exemplary model for the Academy-Industry-Institute trinity. The total alumni base of this department is more than 1500 and they play a major role in manning and managing not only Indian Leather sector but also the global leather sector. CSIR-CLRI conducts various vocational programmes such as Diploma, PG Diploma and Executive training programmes in leather and leather products manufacture, directly contributing to the generation of skilled manpower for the sector.
Testing and Certification Service
CSIR-CLRI has been providing services connected to testing and analysis of skins and hides, intermittent leathers, finished leathers, leather chemicals, wastewater, solid wastes, components for leather products, and leather products as per the relevant and internationally acclaimed procedures. This service of CSIR-CLRI facilitated the industry for securing the confidence of the buyers. The testing services have become much more critical in the wake of the introduction of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) standards in 2007. CSIR-CLRI has been providing the service of certification of leathers to ascertain whether they qualify as per the requirements of Ministry of Commerce, for export. Since 2007, 1.35 lakh samples of leather have been assessed and certified by CSIR-CLRI. The timely certification of leathers intended for export facilitated the timely export of finished leathers. Testing Services from CLRI-Centre for Analysis, Testing, Evaluation and Reporting Services (CATERS) is ISO 17025:2017 accredited since September 2019. The competence of the laboratory to perform tests for leather, leather products, footwear, textile, rubber and plastics have been verified as per ISO 17025:2017. The scope of accreditation covers 176 physical tests and 49 chemical tests.
Efforts Connected to Societal Development
CSIR-CLRI had been directly and indirectly contributing to the societal development through Human Resource Developmental programmes and environmentally benign technologies. Some of the interventions of CSIR-CLRI in societal development are detailed hereunder:
CSIR-CLRI during the period 2001 to 2005 implemented HRD mission for augmenting the availability of skilled manpower for the sector. During XI and XII Five year plan period, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India appointed CSIR-CLRI as National Monitoring Unit (NMU) for monitoring and evaluating the Human resource Development programmes Viz., Placement linked as well as Skill Upgradation Training and Support to Artisans through Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP). CSIR-CLRI had taken concerted efforts in upgrading the skills of artisans from Athani, Kolhapuri, North East region and Leather Cooperative Societies from Gujarat facilitating the upliftment of several families.:
Effective fallen carcass recovery systems designed and developed by CSIR-CLRI had been deployed at various centres under the Leather Technology Mission and subsequent projects. Interventions in the fallen recovery system had contributed to the lively hood of several families. CSIR-CLRI had made pioneering contribution in providing effective collagenous biomaterials for wound and burn dressing applications to the society. CSIR-CLRI supplied collagen sheet facilitating the recuperation of burn injuries of more than 60 school children affected during the 2004 Kumbakonam School fire accident. Recently CSIR-CLRI had provided collagen biomaterials for the treatment of chronic wounds of leprosy afflicted personnel and made a difference in their lives. India being a diabetic capital of the world, diabetic ulcers is one of the major burdens of the country; DIASTEP, specialty footwear developed by CSIR-CLRI alleviates the problems associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Recently, CSIR-CLRI has developed children footwear catering to the needs of the growing feet. Environmentally sustainable technologies from CSIR-CLRI have enabled a better environment for the people living around.