
Tanners Might Replace an Old Salt With a
Potassium OneBy Doris
Stanley January 10, 1997Could potassium chloride replace common salt thats now used in the
meat packing and tanning industries to preserve animal hides? If so, these industries could eliminate an environmental problem: the
disposal of used salt brine. Unlike sodium, potassium is a plant nutrient. Waste from a new potassium
chloride process, developed by scientists with the
Agricultural Research Service, could be
recycled for use as crop fertilizer. ARS scientists have shown that the new process does not affect leather
quality, and are working with industry to demonstrate how it works. To investigate the potential of the new process, ARS has signed a memorandum
of understanding with Kalium Canada, Ltd., of Regina, Saskatchewan. Kalium
Canada is a subsidiary of Vigro, a U.S. firm. Scientific contact: David Bailey, USDA-ARS
Eastern Regional Research Center,
Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, phone (215) 233-6486 U.S. Department of Agriculture | |