Cow, goat, buffalo, or sheep—discarded parts of the hides of these animals are now being used to produce a type of glue known as shirish atha (animal hide adhesive).
Several small factories producing this glue have sprung up across Dhaka.
Scope of glue production and industry
The glue is being used in a variety of industries—from bookbinding to textile and shoe manufacturing, and even pharmaceuticals. Thousands of people are employed in this sector, as observed during visits to different areas of the capital.
Leather has long been an important industry in Bangladesh, playing a significant role in the country's economy. It is widely practiced in rural areas and is considered a traditional enterprise among the general population.
Using natural resources, these factories manufacture leather and leather-based products.
The industry has created an entrepreneurial community, generating cash income and contributing to economic development. Laborers perform essential roles in the leather production process.
Products made from leather are used both locally and internationally, contributing to the country's foreign currency earnings and overall trade growth.
Traditionally, key products made from leather include shoes, bags, belts, and jackets—but now, even the leftover scraps of leather are being boiled down to make shirish atha.
Production process and demand
Investigations revealed that in places like Hazaribagh's Beribadh area in Dhaka, small trays are placed on the roadside where certain items are left to dry.
From a distance, they may look like dried mango pulp or pickles, but in reality, they are part of the initial process of making glue from cow and goat hides. This glue is increasingly in demand across various industries, including pharmaceuticals and food processing.
Apart from Hazaribagh, glue production factories have also developed in other parts of Bangladesh, especially around the Savar leather industrial zone.
These factories not only meet domestic demand but also export glue abroad. Some factories report monthly glue sales worth crores of taka.
According to various sources, the use of cow and goat hide to make glue dates back a long time. In the past, it was an essential component in joining wooden furniture and bookbinding.
Over time, it has become a vital industrial ingredient, previously imported from abroad.
Today, several glue factories operate domestically.
Industry insiders say the glue-making process from animal hides is quite lengthy.
It begins with collecting raw materials, usually sourced from slaughterhouses or tanneries. These hides contain large amounts of collagen, an excellent ingredient for glue.
After collection, the hides are cleaned to remove fat, dirt, and unwanted parts. They are then soaked in lime water to soften the structure.
Next, selected parts are boiled at high temperatures for extended periods, causing the hides to liquefy. This liquid is then filtered and poured into trays to dry. Once dried, the glue resembles dried fruit pulp.
Different types of adhesives are made this way, some of which are used in pharmaceuticals.
Sources also revealed that the gelatinous glue made from hides is used to coat capsule-based medications. It is also found in various cosmetics, creams, and hair treatment products.
Though once essential in wooden furniture making, hide glue is still used in high-end furniture today. The shoe industry, too, heavily relies on this adhesive.
Economic impact
Given the abundant supply of hides and relatively low production costs, glue manufacturing from leather scraps has become a profitable business in Bangladesh.
Additionally, the fuel required for boiling the hides often comes from leftover leather pieces themselves.
On the international market, hide-based glue and gelatin are highly valuable. Demand is rising in countries like China, India, and the United States, especially in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
However, producing export-quality glue requires advanced technology, which is still limited in Bangladesh.
As a result, most of the glue produced caters to the domestic market.
Though leather availability is high, the industry is still underdeveloped. Previously limited to footwear, the industry has now expanded to glue production, creating economic benefits and employment for thousands.
Afzal Hossain, the owner of a glue factory in Hazaribagh’s Beribadh area, said: “The business used to be better when we could get raw materials for free from tanneries. Now we have to buy discarded hides at Tk8–9 per kg. On top of that, we have transportation costs. When the tannery industry was still in Hazaribagh, there were no transport costs. But now, bringing a truckload of raw materials from Savar’s leather industrial zone to Hazaribagh costs Tk6,000–7,000.”
He added: “So far, we’ve had no issues selling the shirish atha produced here. Demand is high, and the product sells directly from the factory. Most of our glue is sold to textile factories in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. Since the price is good, we are continuing our work.”
Mokbul Hossain, a worker in the Beribadh area, said: “Thousands of people work here. The job comes with relatively low risk, and we work without much hassle. The pay is decent too. What I earn daily is enough to support my family.”
When asked about this, Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, said: “There is a good market for the shirish atha produced here. There’s international demand too, but we don’t yet produce enough for export. What we produce is meeting domestic demand. Those involved in producing such non-traditional products may qualify for government assistance.”