LANXESS participated in the China International Leather Fair (ACLE) in Shanghai, China with its latest achievements and innovative projects in the leather industry. LANXESS has a range of products for the manufacture of high-quality leather, including chemicals for pre-tanning, mineral and synthetic tanning agents, mildew inhibitors, retanning agents, leather softeners, dyes and a large number of leather finishing products . In addition, LANXESS focused on the automotive industry's growing demand for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), aldehydes, and odors at this year's Leather Fair to provide it with the ideal solution.
Focus on sustainable leather management
Under the “Sustainable Leather Management” initiative, LANXESS systematically prioritizes sustainable development in the production of its tanning chemical product range. Its products for pre-tanning can significantly improve sustainability while ensuring high-quality leather production. Without the need to add nitrogen-containing reagents such as amines, Peltec UNF liming agent can effectively reduce grain swelling, thereby preventing the appearance of old lines and growth lines.
In the Peltec X-Zyme SN process, LANXESS provides a non-proteolytic, highly efficient immersion enzyme for the rapid removal of hyaluronic acid. This product is used for immersion in water at a normal pH of 9-10. It does not affect the collagen itself. Therefore, even if the immersion time is prolonged, the leather can have a firm grain surface.
Grey leather
Levotan RV for rough leather production is a polymer softening material that reduces VOC content, reduces aldehydes (including acetaldehyde), and reduces the risk of forming hexavalent chromium (VI).
Levotan AM is a multifunctional amphoteric acrylic polymer used for retanning all leather products, including shoe uppers, leather products, and automotive applications. It is also suitable for the production of waterproof leather for fullness. Its amphoteric charge ensures rapid penetration and fixation, and can improve the absorption of the bath. Compared with traditional polymers, this product can improve the dyeing rate and increase the intensity and brightness of the color. These characteristics make it ideal for the automotive industry.
The new synthetic tanning agent Tangian UW has excellent light and heat yellowing resistance and is used to produce white leather. Compared with traditional white synthetic tanning agents, this product can give leather a firm grain, good fullness and a softer feel.
Tangian VR, a new generation of multi-functional retanning agent, is an ideal substitute for vegetable tanning agents. It can provide leather with high fullness, firm grain and excellent heat resistance and light resistance. This product is especially suitable for soft leathers, which provide high quality and uniform grain and medium softness. The processed leather is light-colored, has high colorability, and ensures a bright and consistent dyeing effect.
Innovative products for automotive leather finishing
Aquaderm XL 1010 and Aquaderm XL 5010 are the latest research results of LANXESS in the field of polyisocyanate crosslinkers, which can further reduce VOC and odor, which is of great significance for automotive applications.
Another new product is the Aquaderm XL CD 40. This water-based, solvent-free carbodiimide cross-linking agent can improve the physical properties of the coating, reduce the viscosity during stacking, and improve the resistance to puncture during embossing.
Very low solvent finishing systems require high performance additives to achieve the best possible surface leveling of the material. Aquaderm Fluid E is a new product in the LANXESS rheology control agent line. It has excellent leveling properties and can give leather excellent physical properties.
Aquaderm Additive XF is a BTEX-free, high-concentration, high-performance silicone emulsion that meets the highest standards in the market for physical properties such as abrasion resistance.
Functional coating system
LANXESS is now providing customized functional coating comprehensive solutions through the Pellart brand, which can provide various surface properties for various flexible substrates including industrial films such as plastic films and microfibers.
LANXESS Leather Chemicals has decades of experience in leather materials and the chemicals and technologies required for their manufacture and finishing, particularly in the areas of products and processes for leather surfaces. "Therefore, we naturally combine this expertise with applied technology and analytical capabilities, and then provide it to customers who do not process leather but want to produce high-quality skin materials," said Luis López- Remón) said.
Different technologies, similar chemical processes
With Pellart, LANXESS is addressing the needs of many customer industries for materials other than leather, including the automotive, furniture and footwear industries. In end-use applications, these materials complement each other with their respective characteristics.
Although coating systems involve a variety of technologies, the underlying chemical processes are similar. Similarly, the relevant test methods and quality management systems are actually the same. Most importantly, the customer's requirements on the material surface are similar. "We hope to take full advantage of the synergies generated by these factors in the future," said Dr. Thomas Brackemeyer, Head of Organic Leather Chemicals (OLC).
Entering attractive market segments
LANXESS is a supplier of premium coating products that integrates products directly into customers' production processes. "We expect a very high growth rate for this market segment. Before we entered this market, we had already started project cooperation with our customers and our new product line was well received. Therefore, we are optimistic about this business. , "Said López-Remón.
To this end, LANXESS has established a team of experts. These experts have extensive and deep experience in coating system formulation development and application technology for various carriers, and will become the ideal development partners for customers.
The automotive industry as a benchmark customer
In the process of launching the Pellart brand, the development of the automotive industry is of special significance to LANXESS. LANXESS has extensive cooperation experience in the automotive sector, where the requirements for quality, compliance, delivery reliability and cost-effectiveness are extremely high. "This means that successful automotive projects will be a strong proof of our expertise and technology, and we will use this to promote Pellart's strengths to potential customers in other industries," Brackmemeyer said.