Description
Acacia extract is a plant extract rich in tannins obtained from black acacia (Acacia mearnsii De Wild). This species is also named “black Wattle”, “Mimosa extract” or “mimosa” in leather industry.
Main constituents : the acacia extract contains 60 – 65 % of condensed tannins.
Uses :
Pre-treatment of the vegetable fibers : Acacia is very rich in tannins which allow the pre-treatment of cellulosic vegetable fibers to improve the mordant fixationduring the mordanting. However, this tannin being naturally colored, it will bring a thorough color to your fibers.
Textile natural dyeing : Acacia extract also allows to dye with or without mordant. The resulting shades cover a wide range from beige to brown, grey and almost black with ferrous (iron) sulfate, for instance. The blacks will be obtained in combination of acacia with other tannins (tara for instance), extracts (logwood extract) and with ferrous (iron) sulfate.
Other uses : tannery, glues for the wood industry, metals corrosion protection.
The plant :
Black wattle is the largest source of plant tannins in the world. It is native of the southeast of Australia and was introduced into numerous tropical and subtropical regions. There are very big commercial plantations in South and East Africa (Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe), in Brazil and in India. The bark of black acacia contains 30 to 40 % of tannins (pro-anthocyanidines) and flavonoids (chalcones).
