The tanning industry uses a considerable amount of hot water in its processing, mainly during the beamhouse, tanning and dyeing. Up to now, the industry has been heating water with fossil fuels, gas oil and natural gas, either with a conventional boiler or, in certain locations, with cogeneration.

New technologies are available for the industry to produce hot water. Thermal solar energy can be an option to produce hot water in tanneries and reduce costs for energy but in same time also reduce carbon emissions, green house gases and minimise reliance on fossil fuels. Bangladeshi tanneries are favourable located for application of the solar water heating systems.

Benefits:

• Reduced costs for energy (gas, oil)
• Lower CO₂ emissions
• Approx. 130 litres of 75ºC produced daily by 1 m² of panel

Pilot Demonstration Unit introduced by UNIDO was the first Solar Water Heating Unit (SWHS) in bangladeshi tanneries. Payment period for SWHS is approximatelly 6 years, however it is expected that it will be shorter as gas prices are expected to rise.

Tannery owners recognized usefullness of SWHS and already during the project one tannery installed SWHS for their tannery consumption. Additional tanneries have made plans for their installations.