LANXESS Showcases New, ECO Range for Quality Leather Tanning and Finishing

Aug. 31, 2009 - PRLog -- Singapore - From 2 to 4 September, German specialty chemicals group LANXESS AG will exhibit its innovative range of environmentally-friendly tanning materials and finishing agents—including new products—for the leather industry.  The LANXESS display at the All China Leather Exhibition (ACLE) in Shanghai, China, will be located at Hall W2, Stand D03.

LANXESS’ participation in the trade show also reinforces the company’s commitment to Asia Pacific as one of the leading providers of system solutions for the leather industry, from chemicals for all stages of leather production to intensive on-site technical support.

-   The Leather business unit’s Asian regional marketing headquarters based in Singapore is already the largest and most efficient distribution hub for LANXESS’ leather chemicals business in Asia.
-   In Wuxi, China, the Leather business unit has established a technical laboratory and one of the largest research and development centers for leather products in the Asia-Pacific region.
-   LANXESS has production sites for leather chemicals in Wuxi, China, and Madurai, India.  

At ACLE, LANXESS will showcase Levotan LB and Tanigan CF liquid, two new for the manufacture of high-quality shoe and upholstery leathers. Levotan LB strengthens LANXESS' role as one of the leading suppliers of softening polymers for the leather industry, where they are increasingly replacing fatliquoring agents (between 55 to 75 percent) due to their technical and ecological advantages. For example, new, versatile Levotan LB permits the cost-effective production of shoe and upholstery leather that are lighter, fluffier and softer than conventional fatliquored leather but nevertheless very durable.

New Tanigan CF liquid from LANXESS was developed specifically for the manufacture of wet white leather. It has an excellent grain-tightening effect and good filling properties, and gives a firm, smooth and very flat grain even on soft articles which are dry-drummed for a long time. All this makes the syntan ideal for the production of leather with a smooth finish, but also for embossed goods with excellent print retention. Tanigan CF liquid improves the tightness of loosely structured raw material tremendously, to a level which is not possible with conventional syntans.

New Tanigan VR combines all the advantages of modern chemistry with those of a vegetable tanning material. Because of its extremely well-balanced property profile, Tanigan VR can be used to replace some or even all of the vegetable tanning materials in the retannage, depending upon the raw material quality. Compared with certain vegetable tanning materials, this sulfone-based synthetic organic tanning material has outstanding heat resistance and lightfastness properties and a pale, neutral color giving a brilliant dyeing. It also gives excellent filling and embossing characteristics.

Retingan R12 is a dicyandiamide-based resin tanning material with good selective filling properties in particular for loosely structured parts of the hide. It can be combined with conventional synthetic and veg¬etable tanning materials, giving leather with a fine, smooth grain.

Aquaderm XL 100 EXP 2008 and Aquaderm XL DI 100 EXP 2009 are VOC (volatile organic compound)-free isocyanate crosslinking agents for top coat formulations. Used in combination with polyurethane and acrylic dispersions, they give excellent physical fastness properties such as are required in particular by the automotive industry. Aquaderm XL 100 EXP 2008 is used in “hotpot” systems, i.e. it is added directly to the top coat, whereas Aquaderm XL DI 100 EXP 2009 was developed specifically for the “inline activation” process. Both new crosslinking agents give leather with outstanding physical fastness properties and optimal VOC values.

Bayderm X-tra Finish TV is an NMP-free, medium-hard, aliphatic polyurethane dispersion with good flow-out and high elasticity for glossy top coats. The product has good lightfastness, good resistance to heat yellowing and excellent physical fastness properties, e.g. good wet and dry rub fastness and water drop resistance. Leather finished with Bayderm X-tra Finish TV has a natural appearance, a pleasant feel and a brilliant gloss.

The silica-free acrylic dispersion Opti-MattTM A-2000 is based on an innovative matting technology. Leather made with this product has good wet rub fastness and flex resistance, a pleasant feel, good depth of color, lightfastness and reduced repolishing properties. Opti-MattTM UD-4 is a combination of a modern organic dulling agent with a high-performance silica in an aliphatic polyurethane dispersion.

It can be used together with polyurethane or acrylic binders and permits the production of very dull finishes. The low tackiness of the film means that the leather can be stacked immediately after spraying. Further ad¬vantages are reduced repolishing properties, a more uniform surface appearance and an extremely pleasant feel.

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.58 billion in 2008 and currently 14,335 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 44 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. More information at www.lanxessgoesasia.com.

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LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.58 billion in 2008 and currently 14,335 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 44 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. More information at www.lanxessgoesasia.com.