Liming (leather processing)

Liming is a process used for parchment or leather processing, in which hides are soaked in an alkali solution. It is performed using a drum and paddle or a pit. Its objectives are:

• Removal of interfibrillary proteins.
• Removal of Keratin proteins.
• Collagen swelling due to the alkaline pH.
• Collagen fibre bundle splitting.
• Removal of natural grease and fats

Liming operations of cattle hides usually last 18 hours and are generally associated with the alkaline phase of beamhouse operations.