Energy Assessment of a Tannery to Improve Its Sustainability

Josep M. Morera, Emiliano Borri, Gabriel Zsembinszki, David Vérez, Gemma Gasa, Esther Bartolí and Luisa F. Cabeza ()
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Josep M. Morera: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Emiliano Borri: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Gabriel Zsembinszki: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
David Vérez: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Gemma Gasa: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Esther Bartolí: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain
Luisa F. Cabeza: GREiA Research Group, University of Lleida, Pere de Cabrera s/n, 25001 Lleida, Spain

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: The tanning industry is one of the highly polluting sectors, and it is only in the last few years that studies on the energy improvement of tanneries started to proliferate in the literature. Even though the energy cost of a tannery is only a small fraction of the total cost, many tanners became aware of the importance of improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint to keep the business afloat and be more competitive in the market. This paper presents a study on increasing the sustainability of a tannery located in the region of Catalonia, Spain. Several measures to increase its energy efficiency and reduce its primary energy consumption were proposed and analysed including, among others, the implementation of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels. A cost analysis of the most promising solutions was carried out and discussed. The results show that the tannery should invest between EUR 2 to 2.5 M to obtain the highest energy savings, with an estimated payback period between 5 and 7 years. However, acceptable energy savings can be obtained with a lower investment cost of between EUR 1 to 1.5 M, with a shorter payback period of between 2 and 4 years.

Keywords: tanning industry; energy efficiency; renewable energy; sustainability; cost analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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