Abstract: Powdered or granulated enzyme preparations, free of surface active agents and containing a protease as the active enzyme, wherein the protease is present as a tannin complex, with the proviso that the enzyme preparation consists of at least 50 percent by weight and up to 99.9 percent by weight of one or more conventional diluent salts. Methods for soaking and bating skins and hides using such preparations.

Abstract: An aqueous liquid composition containing one or more enzymatic active substances and at least 10 wt % to a maximum of (100-x) wt % molasses, wherein x is the fraction of enzymatic active substances in wt % and wherein x is a value from 0.001 to 90, which is useful for the production of leather in the beamhouse, to improve rehydration and dirt removal while soaking, to improve the loosening of hair and to inhibit swelling during liming, and to improve the cleaning of the surface of the skin during bating.

Abstract: Aqueous emulsions of graft copolymers comprising acrylate esters of alkanols having 2-24 carbon atoms grafted onto a backbone polymer comprising monomers of acrylate esters of alkanols having 2-24 carbon atoms are disclosed, as is the finishing of surfaces such as tanned leather by applying such emulsions thereto.

Abstract: A method for preparing unhaired hides ready for tanning from hides and skins using proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes in the beamhouse, whereby in at least one of the partial steps of the beamhouse consisting of a) liming in the pH range 11.5-14 and b) bating in the pH range 5-11.5, alkaline lipases (E.C.3.1.3.) having an activity optimum in the pH range 9-11 are added to the aqueous floats corresponding to these partial steps.

Abstract: A method for liming hides and skins using a proteolytic enzyme in an aqueous-alkaline float is taught, wherein the liming float has a pH value from 10-14 and contains both thiourea dioxide and an alkaline protease having elastase activity.

Abstract: Tanning agents containing an .omega.,.omega.-dialdehyde as as the active tanning substance, optionally in a deactivated form, in combination with a polymer containing hydroxyl groups, and methods for using such tanning agents in the preparation of leather, particularly in pickling, tanning, and retanning.

Abstract: Tanning agents containing an .omega.,.omega.-dialdehyde as as the active tanning substance, optionally in a deactivated form, in combination with a polymer containing hydroxyl groups, and methods for using such tanning agents in the preparation of leather, particularly in pickling, tanning, and retanning.

Abstract: Aqueous emulsions of graft copolymers comprising acrylate esters of alkanols having 2-24 carbon atoms grafted onto a backbone polymer comprising monomers of acrylate esters of alkanols having 2-24 carbon atoms are disclosed, as is the finishing of surfaces such as tanned leather by applying such emulsions thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns graft copolymers, useful for the treatment of leather, comprising monomers of the formula ##STR1## grafted onto a base polymer comprising monomers of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 stand for a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, with the proviso that the groups R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have van der Waals volumes which differ from one another by less than 30 percent.

Abstract: The invention concerns graft copolymers, useful for the treatment of leather, comprising monomers of the formula ##STR1## grafted onto a base polymer comprising monomers of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 stand for a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 24 carbon atoms, with the proviso that the groups R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have van der Waals volumes which differ from one another by less than 30 percent.

Abstract: An aqueous synthetic resin dispersion having a minimum film forming temperature below 50.degree. C., containing an emulsion polymer having a core/shell structure consisting ofA) 65-90 percent by weight of a weakly crosslinked core polymer having a glass transition temperature, T.sub.g, below 0.degree. C. and an extensibility of at least 150 percent, andB) 10-35 percent by weight of an essentially non-crosslinked shell polymer having a T.sub.g below 60.degree. C. the T.sub.g of the core polymer being at least 10 Centigrade degrees below that of the shell polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a stable aqueous liquid formulation containing at least one enzyme having proteolytic activity is disclosed. The method involves precipitating the enzyme from an aqueous medium with a salt to form a dispersion of the enzyme. The dispersion has a density of 1.22 g/cm.sup.3 to 1.23 g/cm.sup.3 due to the use of the salt. This process yields a sedimentation-resistant stable enzyme dispersion.

Abstract: Liquid enzyme preparations comprising at least one anhydrous organic liquid as a vehicle for one or more enzymes and methods for using such preparations e.g. in beamhouse operations in the commercial production of leather.

Abstract: The soaking of hides and skins is enzymatically assisted in a method using an aqueous float having a pH from 9 to 11 which containsA) a lipase having an activity optimum in the pH region from 9 to 11,B) a protease with activity in the pH region from 9 to 11, andC) a surface active agent.

Abstract: Tanning agents containing a complex formed between chromium ions and an acrylate or methacrylate polymer and further including an organically bound thio group present in said polymer or in a mercapto compound added to the tanning agents, and methods for pickling, tanning, and retanning skins and hides with such tanning agents.

Abstract: A process for liming skins and hides with preservation and separation of the hair, including the following successive steps:(A) a soaking step in a aqueous liquor containing a surfactant;(B) an incubation step in an aqueous liquor free of inorganic sulfur but containing hydrotropes and organic sulfur compounds as unhairing agents;(C) an step for immunization of the hair at a pH between 10 and 14;(D) a hair loosening step in which inorganic sulfide is added to the float;(E) a separation step in which the hair is separated from the skins and hides; and(F) a liming step in which the pelts so obtained are limed in an aqueous alkaline liquor comprising liming aids.

Abstract: Liquid enzyme preparations comprising at least one anhydrous organic liquid as a vehicle for one or more enzymes and methods for using such preparations e.g. in beamhouse operations in the commercial production of leather.

Abstract: Methods for making leather from animal hides and skins in the presence of surface active agents wherein certain phosphonic acid compounds are used in place of, or in combination with, known surface active agents.