Cooperation between Covestro and the Austria-based Lenzing Group has resulted in environmentally-compatible polyurethane (PU) synthetics for the shoe industry. It uses Tencel Lyocell fibre from Lenzing, which is derived from cellulose and is renewable and natural. The polyurethane textile coating used is based on waterborne Insqin technology from Covestro.
The expertise of both partners complements each other. Covestro brings its expertise as a raw material specialist for PU textile coatings, which are based on the water-based Insqin technology. Lenzing offers its unique expertise in the production of fibres.Cooperation between Covestro and the Austria-based Lenzing Group has resulted in environmentally-compatible polyurethane (PU) synthetics for the shoe industry. It uses Tencel Lyocell fibre from Lenzing, which is derived from cellulose and is renewable and natural. The polyurethane textile coating used is based on waterborne Insqin technology from Covestro.#
The environmental compatibility of coated textiles depends on a number of factors, such as the source of the raw materials, the organic solvents and the consumption of energy and water. The global warming potential of water-based PU coatings that use the Insqin technology is considerably lower than that of solvent-based systems. The Tencel Lyocell fibre from Lenzing reduces the ecological footprint of synthetic leather just as much, primarily because it is manufactured using an innovative recycling process that conserves resources.
“As a result, the shoe industry now has access to PU synthetics that set new standards in terms of sustainability – made possible by the combination of unique and innovative solutions from both partners,” says Thomas Michaelis, head of textile coatings at Covestro for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America (EMEA/LA) region.
The cooperation provides an outstanding example of “Sustainability through Innovation” or “Sustainnovation.” It also fits perfectly with the motto “Material Solutions inspired by Sustainnovation” for Covestro’s appearance at the Techtextil 2019 trade fair. (SV)
ALCHEMPro News Desk – India
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