Description

Quebracho Extract

From Argentinean quebracho wood, vegetable extracts and furfural for tanning and several industrial applications

Production takes place at its manufacturing plants based at La Escondida and La Verde, located in the province of Chaco (North East of Argentina), an area rich in quebracho forests.

Tradition, innovation, state of the art facilities and staff with proven experience in the sector make Indunor a well-established and highly respected company.

Environmental protection is one Indunor’s main goals and the preservation of the Chaco forests guarantees the continuation of its commercial activities. Indunor collaborates with the Argentinean local authorities who directly control the clearing activities and the supply of wood to the Silvateam plants.

Quebracho’s tannin production (around 25,000 tons per year) is integrated with the furfural and furfuryl alcohol production (5,000 tons per year). The residues are used in a biomass power station of 6MW capacity, allowing Indunor to be self-sufficient in energy.

Thanks to Indunor, quebracho extract has become a universal quality symbol for shoe leather, bags, and other real leather products. It is a highly recognized product by Italian and French fashion brands. Indunor is also the official sponsor of the Genuine Italian Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium, an association of companies operating in the Tuscan tanning area.

Quebracho extracts are also used in many industrial applications such as oil drilling, mineral flotation, ceramic and sanitary items. It is an additive for cement and asphalt and for the manufacturing of inks, varnishes, and lacquers.

The company also produces synthetic tannins and furan resins made from vegetable extracts.

Recently, and in order to explore new markets, Indunor has successfully penetrated the animal nutrition sector by developing innovative blends of vegetable extracts which improve the health and productivity of farm animals. Indunor also produces tannic acids for oenological use.

Color / Appearance
Heartwood color typically a light to medium reddish brown, sometimes with darker blackish streaks. Color darkens upon prolonged exposure to light. Pale yellow sapwood distinct from heartwood, though transition is gradual.

Grain / Texture
Quebracho has a fine, uniform texture with a high natural luster. Grain tends to be irregular, roey, and interlocked.

Endgrain
Diffuse-porous; medium to large pores in no specific arrangement, few to moderately numerous; primarily in radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses and other heartwood deposits present; narrow rays not visible without lens, normal spacing; parenchyma vasicentric and unilateral.

Rot Resistance
Quebracho is rated as very durable, and is also resistant to insect attacks. Quebracho also has excellent weathering characteristics.

Workability
Difficult to work on account of its density and irregular grain. High cutting resistance, as well as pronounced blunting effect on cutters. Dries slowly—and tends to crack, check, and warp while drying. Turns and finishes well, and also able to take on a high natural polish without any finishing agents.

Odor
There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species, though it is reported to have a bitter taste.

Allergies / Toxicity
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Quebrachohas been reported to cause respiratory irritation, as well as nausea. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing / Availability
Very seldom available in the United States, Quebracho is somewhat elusive as an imported hardwood. Expect prices to be in the medium to high range for an exotic wood.

Sustainability
Quebracho is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and the IUCN reports that Schinopsis quebracho-colorado and S. balansae are species of least concern, though S. haenkeana is on the Red List as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.