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In ternationa l
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African Journal of Environmental Economics and Management ISSN 2375-0707  Vol. 3 (4), pp. 225-230, September, 

2015. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 
 

Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 
 
 
 

Full length Research paper 
 

The circular economy concept applied to non-productive 
structures: Case of the wastewater processing Station of 

a Tannery Algeria 
 

Necer Mohamed1,* and Smain Rachid2 

 
1,
*LRPI Industrial Prevention Research Laboratory, Institute of Health and Safety, University Hadj Lakhdar, Batna, Algeria 
2
Batna University in Health and Safety Institute. Current teaching and research include Integrated Management System 

for Environment, Health and Safety Management. 
 

Accepted 14 September, 2015 
 

Leather industry on the one side boosts the local economic development, on the other side; it leads to the 

tremendous environment pollution and biological chains destruction. The goal of this paper is to 

underscore the necessity of implementing a model of circular economy (EC) in order to achieve sustainable 

development for developing country industries. While reviewing the reasons for the need to adopt the 

strategy of circular economy thus, to adopt cleaner production for the industries of developing countries, 

the special features of Algerian society which makes the use of circular economy necessary were also 

reviewed. It is important to develop a method for developing a priority for industrialists to work with in 

initiating best available practices, taking into accounts all of the company subsystems. It is important to 

broaden the application of the concept under the EC to business systems that have long been considered 

unproductive (wastewater treatment plants), in this case not taken into account by the traditional scheme 

EC as well as waste from other polluting industries. Companies have great opportunities to minimize 

economic losses and preserve the natural environment by getting rid of its waste resulted from tanning and 

also from external companies to operate the works known by their management difficult. 

 

Keywords:  Model economy, tannery, waste, sulfur.    

 

 
 

INTRODUCTION  

 

Circular Economy 
 
Circular economy focuses on resource-productivity and 
eco-efficiency improvement in a comprehensive way, 
especially on the industrial structure optimization of new 
technology  development  and  application,  equipment  
 
 
 
*Corresponding author. E-mail: necermohamed@yahoo.fr    

renewal and management renovation. The concept of a 
circular economy (CE) has been first raised by two British 
environmental economists (Pearce and Turner, 1990). In 
Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment, 
they pointed out that a traditional open-ended economy 
was developed with no built-in tendency to recycle, which 
was reflected by treating the environment as a wasted 
reservoir.  Yet,  the  open-ended  system  could  be  and  

 



 

 

Necer & Smain           225 
 
 
 
should be converted to a circular system when 
considering the relationship between resource use and 
wasted residuals. In the same order, facing existing 
environmental problems and resource scarcity, they 
called for a need to contemplate earth as a closed 
economic system: one in which the economy and the 
environment are not regarded by linear inter-linkages, but 
by a circular relationship (Boulding, 1966). The 
fundamental law for establishing a recycling-based 
society came in 2002 (Trade and Industry, 2004). It 
provides quantitative targets for recycling and 
dematerialization of Japanese society (Van Berkel et al., 
2009). One common feature of both countries’ CE policy 
is to prevent further environmental deterioration and to 
conserve scarce resources through effective waste 
management; especially integrated solid waste 
management. The CE model has been implemented as a 
new way of raw materials, water and energy consumption 
and reduction in the leather industry. Reduce, Reuse, 
Recycle and Recover of the tannery effluents have our 
interest in a system considered until now as unproductive 
(effluent treatment plant) processes.  

Effective analysis approach with analysis of the aspects 
such as wastewater, and sulfide of the leather tannery 
with CE model provides guidance for the sustainable 
development of leather industry in the future. On the other 
hand, environmental benefits will be obtained not only by 
minimizing the amount of discharged waste, but more 
importantly by minimizing the use of virgin materials for 
economic activity (Andersen, 2007). 

The essence of an ecological economy is the one that 
would bring fundamental changes to the traditional way of 
development. Three aspects, which are economic, social, 
and environmental dimensions, need to be considered in 
this model (Zhu, 2005). The circular economic model 
(CE) helps to strengthen national security due to the 
importance of sustainable energy supply. Additionally, the 
positive environmental effects help to improve the overall 
well-being in the society and advance a nation’s 
modernization (Heck, 2006).The enacted plan (2010-
2017) for Algeria’s economic and social development 
suggests the continuous implementation and further 
development of the best available practices, in this case 
the EC model. It is not surprising to see that the Algerian 
government spares no effort to push this economic model 
into practice for a number of companies and reasons. 
First, Algerian faces serious and severe environmental 
challenges due to rapid industrialization and urbanization 
as well as poor environmental oversight. Striking 
problems include water depletion, and pollution, 
degradation of water resources and non-renewable 
Martial, desertification, deforestation. This increase is due 
to the vulnerability of the Algerian industrial fabric, and to 
the technological advancement of the exporting country 
which does not guarantee the success of technology 
transfer (broken link after turnkey), in addition to acquiring 

some polluting factories and consumers of water and 
energy. In response to serious environment problems, 
mitigation of wastewater, toxic and reversal of 
environmental degradation have become urgent. (Wang 
et al., 2007) suggested and regarded that the CE is the 
fundamental resolution to remove green barriers and 
expected that through its implementation, all companies 
of all countries would gain enhanced national 
competitiveness in international trade. The successful 
enforcement of the circular economy regulation can help 
tackle both environmental degradation and resource 
scarcity issues. 

This study aims to contribute to the rapidly growing 
literature on the CE in general and serves for 
implementation and effectiveness of Algerian CE’s policy 
in particular. In order to achieve the goals, we first present 
the CE concept and explain why it is imperative for 
Algeria. In order to achieve the goals, we first present the 
CE concept and explain why it is imperative for Algeria. 
Second, we introduce the current practices in Algeria 
companies (only the tanneries) and discuss the vision of 
integration of the EC concept in the field of leather 
(tanning). Our main focus is to provide the overall vision 
of the EC integration concept in polluting industries so 
that a more holistic picture of circular economy practices 
in Algeria. Then, based on other literature, we identify the 
underlying problems for this national strategy in the 
Algerian context. Finally, we provide the conclusion of the 
circular economy development. 
 

CE model and current CE implementation 
 
(Geng et al., 2002) bring for waste management and 
encourages the development of companies that can play 
a role of scavengers (feeding the waste resources of 
other companies in the economic system) and 
decomposers (using the waste resources from both 
producers and consumers and then transform or recycle 
them back into the system)  in order to build up an 
industrial ecosystem. By last, in the waste management 
area, the regulating and expending of the waste trade 
market and building a venous industrial park aims to 
increase the productivity and economic benefit of the 
resource recovery industry. 

The main wastes focused in tannery process are shown 
in Figure 1. Generally 6840 kg fresh hides need 3-4 kg 
sulfide. The first wastes are certain amount of sulfide and 
lime which are not absorbed by the pelts in the liming 
process. Secondly, the broken hair and epidermis in the 
liming and non structural protein in soaking and liming 
increase the COD and BOD content in the water, which 
leads to water pollution. 

According to (Jing et al., 2011), the CE model is 
demonstrated in Figure 2, where the process refers to all 
activities of resource /energy productions and 
consumptions. The span between process A and process  



 

 

226         Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 
 
 

 
 

Figure 1.  The material flow chart during leather tannery. 

 
 
 

 
 

Figure 2. Special circular economy model. 

 
 
 

 

 
 

Figure 3. Recycling economy model. 

 
 
B is determined by the scope of CE. For example, 
process B can follow process A or antecede process A. 
The arrangement of both processes is flexible based on 
the output, their intrinsic properties and the following 
recycling network systems.  

Normally, process B differs from process A. In the case 
that process B is the same as process A, this model can 
be transferred to Figure 3. 
Figure 3. Recycling economy model. 

In our case the process B is different than process A, 
respectively the process B is the installation of 
wastewater treatment of tannery and A is the Dehairing 
process (Figure 4).  

Other Alternative sources of industrial waste 
Figure 4.  Special Economic Model 'waste'. 

 

 

REUSE  

 

Overview of Leather Tannery Waste 
 
Tannery is an industry with strong potential of pollution.   
Water is charged with organic matter (proteins, peptides, 
amino, acid acids fatty, sulfides and chrome trivalent). 
They are highly polluted (Tunay, 1996). The majority of 
the used operations consume several chemicals. The 
animal skin is subjected to deferent process to eliminate 
the meat, the lipids and the hairs. This stage uses 
deferent chemicals (in particular: the hydroxide of sodium, 
the hypochlorite of sodium, the dichromate of potassium, 
the lime, chlorides, the sulphuric acid, the acid formique, 
tensioactifs, sulphide of sodium, salts of sodium and 
ammonium, etc.) (R.suthanthararajan. et al 2004) 
Dehairing is a process which aims  to separate hair and 
epidermis from the hide. Chemicals used for this process 
are lime and sulfides. Thus, sulfur in dehairing 
wastewater occurs as sulfide and it has to be converted 
into sulfate in order not to produce hydrogen sulfide when 
alkaline and acidic wastewaters are mixed 
(R.suthanthararajan et al.,  2005). 

The used product ends in waste water with a clear 
contribution in polluting load. These operations are 
carried out in aqueous environment.  Therefore generates 
water pollution.   
The tannery waste water pollution has two sources:   
- Skin,   
- Chemical reactive used in the various operations.  
  
Table 1 gives consumption of the chemicals for 
treatment, agents of tanning and auxiliaries. Vulnerability 
caused by the transfer of technology more than ever felt 
in Algeria, because the technological advancement of the 
exporting country does not guarantee the success of such 
a transfer. Without purification of water (dysfunction of the 
installations) and in the absence of effective technology of 
recovery, the unit loses annually  
- 140 kilogram /day of chromium with their prices with 
1.22 € /kg, are equivalent to 51879.77 €/year;  
- 162, 4 kilogram/days of sulfides with their prices with 
0.3€/kg, are equivalent to 16577.76 €/year.  
 
On one hand in front of this heavy heritage of industry 
consuming water  and chemicals of export, the managers 
are forced to exert a  responsible management, that 
implies, for example, to know well the chemicals 
implemented in the process (including the very prepared 
products), to take the safety measures for the  protection 
of people and of the environment and finally optimizes the 
operation of the installations of  waste water treatment  in  



 

 

Necer & Smain           227 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Table 1. Results of desulfurization -2ml MnSO4 (with variation 
of the parameters) 

 

Time (hours) percentage oxidized Sulfur (with 

variation parameters) 

1
st
 hour  51,73 % 

2
nd

 hour 79,32  % 

3
rd

 hour  86,21  % 

4
th

 hour  93 ,91  % 

5
th

 hour 98,28   % 

6
th

  hour  99,43   % 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

Figure  5. conception of a future vision of the economy circular vision 

of industrial waste 

 
 
 

order to answer the multiple  requirements and stakes 
environmental, social and economic) (R.suthanthararajan 
et al.,  2005). Waste management and environmental 
protection are mandatory requirements of modern 
society.  

 
Nevertheless these installations of treatments of polluting 
water represent an unbearable because of the high cost 
of operation (chemical, energy, etc.), and of the 
maintenance and talks.  

On the other hand, in Algeria, the steel mill of El-Hadjar 
(ANNABA), and because of its activity, it generates an 
important production of industrial waste (slag) which 
raises a problem of storage and pollution. Following the 
example of industrial nations this product, presents a 
plentiful raw material to low cost. Which must be exploited 
on a large scale in operations ' sometimes without interest 
for the administrators ' for example the operations of 
waste water treatment.    

The aim of this research is to develop a waste coming 
from another polluting industry which is the iron and steel 
industries (figure 5). One will be interested particularly in:   
- To count in a no exhaustive way the range of waste 
generated by this industry which considered rich in 
ferrous and nonferrous waste? 
- To choose the waste which answers bests our 
problems of substitution and valorization possibly for the 
industry of having leather.   
  This research between thus within the framework of the 
application of the clean technologies of which the goal is 
triple:   
- Substitution and beyond a saving in expensive 
chemical (MnSO4)   for the tannery;   
- To consider new exits for a waste (ferrous waste) of 
another polluting company (iron and steel industry).  
All this is carried out in a preoccupation of continuous 
environmental of sustainable development (figure. 3).        
Statistically the study by L.NT.PB H; dey Algiers effluent 
flow are:  
- Acid effluent flow 170 m

3
 / day; 

- Basic flow of effluent from 200 /day to 350 m
3
 / day. 

 
 

MATERIAL AND METHOD  

 

Objective 

 
 In order to mitigate the high cost of operating the 
treatment plant MEGA by the use of chemicals used in 
the operation of the treatment plant, we perform tests of 
substitution of a catalyst (manganese sulfate MnSO4) by a 
first recovery and waste from the steel industry of Algeria, 
then a second waste recycling in situ, basic chromium 
sulphate. Based in part on the chemical characteristics or 
almost similar iron sulfate (FeSO4) with manganese 
sulfate MnSO4, and secondly on the degree of oxidation 
of FeSO4 and basic chromium sulphate, which oxidants to 
become very strong oxidant. 
 

Hypothesis  
 
Waste recovery used for the substitution of MnSO4 is:  

 Reuse  

Reduce  Dehairing 

process 

Simple  treatment  

technical treatment 

Station 

wastewater 

 

Other Alternative 

sources of 

industrial waste 

           Figure  4.  Special Economic Model 'waste'. 

Reuse  

 

Other’s industry 

Special 

circular 

economy  

‘Wast’ 

Time  

 

Economic model 

Output:  

Waste 1 

 

Output: 

Waste 2 

 

Tannery  

In put  

Recycling economy 

model 

 



 

 

228         Afr. J. Environ. Econ. Manage. 
 

 
 

Graphic1. Sulfur oxides as a function of time 

 

 
 
 
 
Table 2. Percentage oxidized sulfide with and without variation 

of parameters 

 
Time (hours) Percentage oxidized 

Sulfur (with variation 

parameters) 

Percentage oxidized 

Sulfur (without 

variation parameters) 

1
st
 hour        51,73 % 00 

2
nd

 hour       79,32  % 00 

3
rd

 hour        86,21  % 00 

4
th

 hour        93 ,91  % 03 ,68 

5
th

 hour       98,28   %  04,90 

6
th

  hour        99,43   % 07,36 

 
 
 

Graphic 2. Comparison of the Results of Desulfurization (2 ml 

MnSO4) 

- (a) With Variation of Parameters (Contribution of air, Agitation) 

- (b) Without Variation of Parameters (without contribution of air, 

agitation) 

 

 
 
 
-  First waste in situ recovery: As a second alternative 
substitution MnSO4, basic chromium sulphate, from the 
tannery itself.  

Table 3. Results of oxidation with waste to compare in catalyst 
MnSO4 

 
 

Time hours
 

 

% oxidized 

Sulfur 

MnSO
4 

 

% oxidized 

Sulfur MnSO
4 

 

% oxidized 

Sulfur 

FeSO
4 

 

% oxidized Sulfur 

(Cr(OH) SO
4
)
 

1
st
 hour 

 

14,11 09,20 07,95 01,75 

2
nd

 hour 

 

36,81 19,02 13,07 10,53 

3
rd

 hour 

 

50,92 28,83 21,59 18,13 

4
th

 hour 

 

59,50 38,65 25,57 23,97 

5
th

 hour 

 

68,71 46,62 29,54 28,07 

6
th

  hour 

 

74,84 47,85 32,95 29,82 

 
 
 
 
 

Graphic. 3 Sulfur oxides as a function of time 
 

 
 
 
 
 
- Second waste recycling ex site as an alternative first 
substitution MnSO4, iron sulfate (FeSO4) from the steel 
industry in eastern Algeria (availability);  
Diagrams species distribution of FeSO4 and basic 
chromium sulphate (Cr (OH) SO4) can be very informative 
for a possible substitution. 

Note: In addition to the test of substitution by various 
wastes from the tannery itself and the steel sector, 
parameters such as the air intake, the air distribution in 
the effluent to be treated and the amount catalysts 
(substituent) are also modified to better understand their 
influence on the performance of effluent treatment. 



 

 

Necer & Smain           229 

 

 

 

 

Experimental Results of substitution according to the 

Model (EC) 
 
For the oxidation of sulfur with use of the MnSO4 catalyst 

 

 

DISCUSSION 

 
From the tests on pilot, it arises that the MnSO4 catalyst 
used for the oxidation of sulfur definitely more effective 
and in conformity than the ferrous sulphate FeSO4 
compared here to ferrous waste of the iron and steel 
sector.  That could be the consequence proportion of iron 
which precipitates neighbors pH from 4, 6 to 6 and thus it 
does not take part that has the oxidation of sulfur, 
whereas that  sulfur which takes part has close pH has 8. 
The Pourbaix curves also inform us about this aspect of 
appearance of new species according to the pH. We 
agree to also say that better results can be obtained by 
increasing the concentration of the substituent (ferrous 
waste) in the effluent of the tannery and by  increasing the 
reaction time of desulfurization as well.  The solution 
proposed could be used as springboard for possible 
reflection for the complex problems of companies which 
note that their sustainability is threatened because of the 
loads which can be relieved by rational solutions. 

The companies has great possibilities of preserving the 
natural environment and of minimizing the economic 
losses,on one hand, by the application of the concept of 
substitution and, or, recycling of ' valuable waste ,and on 
the other hand by a responsible management for all under 
systems for the company (station of purification for 
example). 

Finally,  at  least  as  far  as  a  general  environmental 
management systems,  is  concerned,  the  environmental 
policy  of an  enterprise  must  include  a  commitment  to 
preventing  pollution.  In  the United  States,  the  
common  term  for  the  body  of  knowledge,  
approaches, techniques,  practices,  and  technologies  
aimed  to  minimizing  the  creation  of pollution, which is  
"pollution  prevention,"  or  "P2."  The terms often used as 
near synonyms for P2 are "waste minimization» and 
"clean production." These terms sum Together. 

 

 
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS 
 
 
The test and the proportioning of sulphides by 
ferricyanides of potassium show us that the elimination of 
sulphides by oxidation to the air in the presence of 
catalyst MnSO

4 gives excellent results. Removing of 99, 
43 % of sulfur.  These results will be taken as means of 
comparison with the results of the substitute (ferrous 
waste resulted from the activity of iron and steel industry).   

The results obtained, show us that the treatment of 
desulphurization envisaged is very effective.  However the 
reaction of time and the operating conditions must be well 
controlled (parameters).   
The study on pilot of the influence of these parameters 
with use of MnSO4 like catalyst, gives us the results.    

Indeed the results obtained, show us clearly and allow 
us to say that the best desulfurization is carried out by 
oxidation with contribution of air, and that simple agitation 
without contribution of air will not be enough to any case 
with the desulfurization of the effluent ensures. The 
validity of the parameters (air agitation, air distribution, 
and the time of the oxidation reaction) is well established  
 

 

CONCLUSION 
 
Stricter legal limits on sulfur levels require measures to 
reduce their value in the wastewater of final tannery. 
Removal wastewater is containing high sulfur 
concentrations that contribute significantly to the overall 
effluent. However, the final sulfate concentration in the 
tannery wastewater is still too high to meet future 
standards. Separate results remain low, 32% for waste 
from the tannery, and 30% for the waste from the steel 
industry. But the sum of the results of the two waste give 
better results desulfurization, 60% of oxidized sulfur.  The 
companies has great possibilities of minimizing the 
economic losses, and to preserve the natural 
environment by, on the one hand, the application of the 
concept of substitution or the one of recycling the 'waste 
valuable of other factory’s site which they find difficulties 
that has to manage their waste, and on the other hand by 
a responsible management for all under systems of the 
company (station of treatment) even if this one is not 
directly profitable for the company. 
 
 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 
 
The authors would like to thank Kamel Eddine 
BOUHIDEL and Hamel Benmoussa for their support and 
contribution to the work. 
 
 

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