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Humidifying in the leather industry
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Leather is a hygroscopic material. It can absorb water, releasing it again when the air is dry, and this natural ability determines its specific behaviour during storage, processing and use.
Leather expands when it is moistened, contracting again when dried. The consequences are:
- Increase in undersize and oversize
- Creases and wrinkling
- Loss of shape in shoes, gloves, bags, etc.
The differing moisture content of leather is influenced by changing air humidity. Equilibrium should be preserved between the humidity of leather and ambient air to preserve the shape and structure of leather (i.e. a balance must be maintained between the moisture content of leather and the relative air humidity). Leather then no longer absorbs or releases moisture. This condition is only achieved after several days of storage (drying). If the principal factor during storage and processing of leather is the maintenance of consistent air humidity, the drying phase after the leather is manufactured or after the working processes (requiring high humidity) demands relatively high air humidity.
Recommended air humidity values in the leather industry:
Procedure/Location
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Temperature
from – to°C
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Rel. humidity
from – to % |
Shoe production
• Tannery
• Manufacture
• Storage
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10 – 20 °C
10 – 20 °C
10 – 22 °C
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65 – 70 %
65 – 70 %
50 – 65 % |
| Shoe shops |
20 – 23 °C
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50 – 55 % |
Leather goods
• Manufacture/Storage
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20 – 23 °C |
55 – 65 % |
Recommended units and systems from the Axair range
Defensor 505 / 3001 / ABS2 atomiser »
Condair Esco (where an external steam mains is available) »
Consulting for humidifying in the leather industry
Consulting »
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Contact
Postbox, Talstrasse 35-37 
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