“Gelatin is collagen—one of the proteins found in animal bones and skin—that has been extracted and refined. Its history goes back more than a thousand years. Originally it was used as an adhesive; in Japan, likewise, nikawa glue served that purpose. By further refining the production methods and purity of the raw material, gelatin and collagen are now made for food and pharmaceutical use.”
Rawhides are sorted into grades—the higher grades, and then what the trade calls peke hides, the rejects. It is these peke hides that become gelatin and glue. As with tanning leather, the process uses a drum (see the manufacturing process below).
“Photographic film was actually a major market for gelatin. The arrival of digital cameras hit the industry hard, but collagen for health foods and cosmetics began to grow in popularity, filling that gap, and that is where we are today. As our next move, we worked with a research institute to develop collagen raw material for fishing lures. It is catching on, especially around the Fuji Five Lakes, where plastic lures are banned.”
