237
and processes. There is a trend for the adoption of new materials, which have a
lower environmental impact than their conventional alternatives (Textile Exchange
2016). Fish skin is an innovative and sustainable alternative material with a lower
environmental and social impact than conventional leather. Fish skin as a new raw
material for the fashion industry could provide a (partial) solution for aquaculture
waste, which the European Union has committed to reduce through actions in the
Circular Economy Package.
Almost half of the fish caught for human consumption is discarded before it even
reaches our shelves. This represents a significant amount of potential profit that is
effectively being thrown away. The average production of 1 tonne of fish fillets
results in roughly 40 kilograms of discarded skins. Improved usage of fish byproduct waste could help meet increasing demand for seafood without further stress
on the ecosystem. More efficient use of resources will benefit society, the environment and the industry’s bottom line. Reducing discards and upcycling by-products
will likely increase profitability (IOC 2013).
When Atlantic Leather converts the fish skins into leather, it creates new value
and far-reaching economic opportunities. Atlantic Leather has been perfecting the
fish skin tanning techniques to turn it into high-value products for non-food sectors
(fashion) by upcycling fish skin into exquisite fish leather. Recycling fish skin into
leather is eco-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable. With an estimated 43% of fish
and shellfish resources ending up as wastage, Atlantic Leather is converting once
discarded parts of the fish into desirable products and income: fashion and accessories. The tannery is proud that it can reduce waste while sourcing salmon skins
from certified sustainable Nordic fisheries. Atlantic Leather is part of a group of
pioneering industry experts from Iceland involved in the commercial fishing, aquaculture and processing sector and the creation of value from fish processing byproducts. Companies in Iceland, the pioneers of this industry, have developed a
wide range of uses for fish waste: enzymes, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements,
cosmetics and leather goods (Sigfusson and Arnason 2017a, b).
15.3.2.4 Chrome-Free Tanned Fish Skin
The processing of leather is most commonly linked with environmental pollution.
Many of the chemicals used during tanning are toxic, with substances like mineral
salts and chromium routinely used. Environmental protection standards tend to be
insufficient in primary leather producing regions, with waste water and solid waste
from the tanning process dumped directly into rivers, devasting nearby flora and
fauna. Tanning does not just have an environmental cost; a number of the chemicals
used to tan leather are carcinogenic, endangering the health of those who labour in
tanneries (Shean 2018).
Atlantic Leather commits to SDG 14 Actions for Businesses: Record and disclose information on the chemical usage within products to facilitate closing the
loop. Atlantic Leather produces chrome-free fish leather using mimosa bark in a
traditional process of vegetable tanning, avoiding chromium salts, which are
15 SDG 14 Life Below Water
and processes. There is a trend for the adoption of new materials, which have a
lower environmental impact than their conventional alternatives (Textile Exchange
2016). Fish skin is an innovative and sustainable alternative material with a lower
environmental and social impact than conventional leather. Fish skin as a new raw
material for the fashion industry could provide a (partial) solution for aquaculture
waste, which the European Union has committed to reduce through actions in the
Circular Economy Package.
Almost half of the fish caught for human consumption is discarded before it even
reaches our shelves. This represents a significant amount of potential profit that is
effectively being thrown away. The average production of 1 tonne of fish fillets
results in roughly 40 kilograms of discarded skins. Improved usage of fish byproduct waste could help meet increasing demand for seafood without further stress
on the ecosystem. More efficient use of resources will benefit society, the environment and the industry’s bottom line. Reducing discards and upcycling by-products
will likely increase profitability (IOC 2013).
When Atlantic Leather converts the fish skins into leather, it creates new value
and far-reaching economic opportunities. Atlantic Leather has been perfecting the
fish skin tanning techniques to turn it into high-value products for non-food sectors
(fashion) by upcycling fish skin into exquisite fish leather. Recycling fish skin into
leather is eco-friendly, cost-effective and sustainable. With an estimated 43% of fish
and shellfish resources ending up as wastage, Atlantic Leather is converting once
discarded parts of the fish into desirable products and income: fashion and accessories. The tannery is proud that it can reduce waste while sourcing salmon skins
from certified sustainable Nordic fisheries. Atlantic Leather is part of a group of
pioneering industry experts from Iceland involved in the commercial fishing, aquaculture and processing sector and the creation of value from fish processing byproducts. Companies in Iceland, the pioneers of this industry, have developed a
wide range of uses for fish waste: enzymes, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements,
cosmetics and leather goods (Sigfusson and Arnason 2017a, b).
15.3.2.4 Chrome-Free Tanned Fish Skin
The processing of leather is most commonly linked with environmental pollution.
Many of the chemicals used during tanning are toxic, with substances like mineral
salts and chromium routinely used. Environmental protection standards tend to be
insufficient in primary leather producing regions, with waste water and solid waste
from the tanning process dumped directly into rivers, devasting nearby flora and
fauna. Tanning does not just have an environmental cost; a number of the chemicals
used to tan leather are carcinogenic, endangering the health of those who labour in
tanneries (Shean 2018).
Atlantic Leather commits to SDG 14 Actions for Businesses: Record and disclose information on the chemical usage within products to facilitate closing the
loop. Atlantic Leather produces chrome-free fish leather using mimosa bark in a
traditional process of vegetable tanning, avoiding chromium salts, which are
15 SDG 14 Life Below Water