Assessing the value of keratin extracted from skins and hides

The leather industry has declined due to increased consumer demand for synthetic alternatives. There is an opportunity for value addition from keratin from hair and collagen from hides. This project will explore applications for these proteins in food, feed, fertilisers and biofilms for use in products like nappies. In order to fully understand the size of the opportunities, the research team will conduct stakeholder engagement, market analysis and a patent and literature review. In addition, the extraction yield and functionality of keratin will be assessed from two commercial processes – native bovine hair and hair from the Sirolime process