CLRI has been one of the premier R&D organisations with strong foundation in both basic and applied research in leather and allied sciences. The major departments engaged in the fundamental research area include Biotechnology, Biomaterials, Bacteriology, Bio-products, Polymer Science & Technology, Chemistry, Biophysics, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, NMR, etc. At any given point of time about 30-40 research students are working for Ph.D. under Madras/Anna Universities. During 1999-2000, 177 papers were published in International and National Scientific Journals. Number of awards and honours were bestowed on CLRI scientists

Two of our scientists got the coveted Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prize for chemical sciences in 1993 and 1996. Several scientists of this Institute have been elected members/fellows of the prestigious science academies of the country.

Seeking excellence in science is the emerging culture in CLRI. Recent major contributions at CLRI relate to insights into the structural aspects of collagen, nutritional disorders relating to collagen, aqueous chemistry of chromium, structural stability of chrome-collagen compounds, vegetable tannin resources, development of novel NMR techniques, molecular understanding of chrome tanning, assembly and organisation of small to macro molecules, thermodynamics of self-assemblies and micellar formation, interpenetrating polymeric networks, controlled drug delivery systems, new synthetic methods for polymers, transport phenomena and new analytical testing for eco-sensitive chemicals.

Applied research work has been carried out in new and innovative techniques for leather processing, upgradation of low grade materials, technologies for manufacture of chemical auxiliaries, animal and tannery byproducts utilisation, biotechnology for leather processing, chrome recovery and reuse, cleaner production systems, tannery waste water treatment, effluent control and minimization, modernisation of tannery wet operations, high performance and environment-friendly synthetic tanning agents, surgical sutures and collagen for burn management.