Specialty chemicals group Lanxess are focusing on optimising their top coat systems, especially those used for automotive leathers, and on expanding their market share. Lanxess’s Leather (LEA) business unit have invested in new technologies and has now purchased a new type of rollercoating machine for its technology centre in Leverkusen. Michael Franken, head of finishing in LEA’s product development application section, comments: ‘There is an increasing demand for new, environment-friendly processes for applying leather finishes and other coatings. We have therefore invested in product development so that we can play an active part in this trend.’

Construction at the proposed Fujian tanning cluster in South Eastern China came to an abrupt halt last Autumn after the local authorities in the Fujian province froze further construction and withdrew investment last Autumn despiet the fact that construction of the new tannery cluster and central treatment plant had already begun. The local government in Fuijan stopped construction and said that they wanted to use the land to attract high-tech companies, particularly from nearby Taiwan.

The Corium club an alumni of past and present students from the British School of Leather Technology in Northampton, UK will be hosting three social events in March and April in Northampton, Hong Kong and in Scotland. Details are as follows:

National Beef Leathers have announced that they are to invest around $20 million to upgrade the former Prime Tanning site in St Joseph, Missouri. The tannery employs 100 people.

The 26th edition of APLF- Materials Manufacturing & Technology (APLF - MM&T) edition will be held this month in Hong Kong and will focus on fashion and a strong platform for the strong asian markets, particularly China.

Turkish leather finish chemical specialists, Sarchem will be celebrating 15 years in business this year and have recently expanded their R&D and production facilities at their headquarters in Tuzla. Capacity will increase by 20% after the recent investment.

Two London based fashion students, from the London College of Fashion have used leather at the centre of their fashion collections. The winner of the MA Design award was given to Sarah Jane Williams whose leather handmade bags are absolutely exquisite. Briana Smith another student also used novel applications of leather in her collection. The leather used throughout Williams collection was sponsored by Roy Winnard of Metropolitan Leather Ltd. Details and pictures from both collections are as follows:

Stahl, the speciality chemicals group, which includes leather chemicals, have completed a financial restructuring, with unanimous consent from major lenders as well as hedge fund counterparts for its debt-for-equity offering.

Following a two-day meeting in the German town of Rheingau, the new executive management team of the DyStar Group have began working. In the presence of DyStar’s new shareholder and chairman, Manish Kiri, the team discussed topics such as the restart of production in Germany which is expected for end of March, strategies to quickly improve DyStar’s supply situation and ways to finance all projects essential for achieving the envisaged results.

Former Leather International editor, Robert Higham was presented with an award for his contribution to journalism in the leather industry. The award which was originally announced during the British School of Leather Technology (BSLT) centenary last June was presented by Dr Mark Wilkinson (right) associate dean, applied sciencies, University of Northampton at the BSLT in late February.

Lanxess, one of the world’s leading suppliers of leather chemicals, are offering customers a genuine competitive advantage with the colour and trend forecast for spring/summer 2011. The specialty chemicals group have produced a special collection of leather samples that shows the trends for the spring/summer 2011 season.