Abstract: Nutritious water soluble protein hydrolysate having an average molecular weight between about 1500 and 10,000 is obtained by heating to at least about 200.degree. F a mixture of, by weight: 100 parts chrome leather scrap; at least 100 parts water; and at least eight parts calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, or magnesium hydroxide, with the proviso that at least 4.8 of these eight parts be calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. Simultaneously, chromium is substantially insolubilized and precipitates. The protein is separated from the precipitated chromium compounds and neutralized with acid to provide a nutritious feed or feed supplement. The chromium is washed to remove all protein and dissolved in sulfuric acid to provide a chromium solution useful in tannery operations.