The valorization of chrome leather shavings (CLS) is essential for establishing a circular economy in the leather industry. To address the inherent limitations of traditional dry-process regenerated leather, namely poor flexural endurance and inadequate thermal-wet comfort, this study proposes a synergistic “one-stone-two-birds” strategy. Specifically, hollow polyester fibers (HPF) were introduced to form a multiscale composite fibrous network with CLS, bonded uniformly by modified starch (MS). The effects of HPF and MS content on microstructure, interfacial bonding, and macroscopic performance were systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that an optimal formulation of 2 wt% HPF and 13.3 wt% MS effectively balances structural robustness and wearability. Compared to the unreinforced control sample, the composite achieved an 8-fold increase in dynamic flexural resistance, exceeding 80,000 cycles. Notably, the incorporation of HPF introduced interconnected interfacial micropores within the fibrous network, significantly enhancing water vapor permeability (from 257.9 to 493.72 g/(m 2 ·24 h)) and air permeability while maintaining adequate mechanical strength (tensile strength: 1.98 MPa). The adequate hygrothermal comfort and flexural durability of this eco-friendly composite render it suitable for high-end footwear and automotive interiors, providing a scalable technical pathway for the high-value utilization of solid leather waste.
Zhang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.