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Some of the small and medium-sized tanneries also produce
vegetable tanned leather for sole leather and for other purposes.
The traditional pattern has been well preserved: except for
3-5 larger and mechanized tanneries with a more or less industrial
way of production, the other tanneries are small, family owned
units, employing up to ten workers. Traditional family owned
tanneries typical of Kasur are very basic. Most operations
are still carried out with very limited use of machines and
equipment. Chrome tanning has, to a great extent, replaced
the slow vegetable tanning process but the ancient bag-tanning
method can still be seen. Some tanners still prepare their
own chrome liquors from dichromate under poorly controlled
conditions. Due to the unavailability of water supply that
is encouraged by its econon3ic incentives, all the tanneries
are presently using the underground water for their tanning
activities.
Most of medium-sized tanneries finish their chrome-tanned
leather using only water based coatings and hand-spraying
techniques. The largest tannery has fully automated spraying
units (two) for the finishing of the leathers produced and
several of the other larger tanneries are in the process of
installing automated spraying units as well.
In contrast to the export oriented tanners of the Korangi
industrial zone of Karachi, who operate large, well equipped
factories, Kasur has remained a hide processing centre, mostly
catering to the needs of the local, low-price bracket leather
footwear manufacturers. Profit margins are low and access
to capital and potential for modernization is limited. Many
will find it difficult to survive in the increasingly competitive
environment.
In view of its proximity to the large market of Lahore and
the availability of leather and cheap labor in Kasur, it is
somewhat surprising that no downstream manufacturing units
(footwear, leather goods) have been established in Kasur itself,
they remain within the Lahore area.
Sanitary conditions both within and outside tanneries are
bad by any standard: few units are kept tidy. However, possibly
due to the UNDP/UNIDO preparatory assistance project, an increasing
awareness of the negative impact of tannery operations on
the environment has been created among members of the tanning
community.
Little attention is given to occupational health standards,
protection from exposure to harmful chemicals and to safety
at the work place.
The well organized Tanneries Association Dingarh, Kasur__
is the main driving force behind endeavor to catch up with
more advanced tanners in the country and, in particular, to
resolve the problem of treatment and discharge of tannery
effluent which, sooner or later is bound to paralyze the tanning
operations in Kasur.
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