The publication of this volume has been delayed due to the time constraints we all face, not least the editor himself. However, the readership that has been waiting for the reissue of this long out-of-print volume will find that this new edition is not merely a supplement to the old edition, but rather an entirely new volume. The inclusion of chapters on tanning machines and accident prevention will also be welcomed. The wealth of new insights and materials that have emerged since the first edition has led to expansions and, in some cases, profound changes in processes and finished products, particularly in the finishing sector. One need only think of the extensive use of plastics in the finishing field, along with the countless bleaching and fattening processes.