Modular finishing system for upholstery leather
2 April 2012The new UP (upholstery) product line from the Lanxess specialty chemicals company is just what many upholstery leather manufacturers have been looking for. Given the wide range of different surface appearances and touches required in this sector, finishes have to be both simple to formulate and easy to handle so that leather manufacturers can satisfy the individual wishes of each customer without the need for complicated procedures.
The innovative UP range from Lanxess goes a long way towards meeting these demands: in keeping with the ‘less is more’ principle, it consists of just two Euderm base coat brands and four different top coat components from the Bayderm product line, plus Aquaderm X-Shield UP-L, an anti-soiling product based on fluoropolymers. The latter is particularly recommended for pale shades, which are much more prone to soiling. Numerous tests have shown that all the products have good compatibility with one another.
As regards the two base coats, Euderm Compact UP-SC is a general-purpose product that is especially suitable for full grain leathers, while the acrylic base coat Euderm Compact UP-E is the product of choice for corrected grain or embossed leathers.
The four specially developed top coat formulations are particularly remarkable and innovative, making it possible to adjust the exact gloss level and surface touch required. ‘They are extremely simple to use,’ says Bianca Verstegen of Global Product Management Finishing in Lanxess’ Leather business unit, describing the new modular top coat system. ‘The complex cocktails of up to 10 components that used to be needed for the same purpose are a thing of the past.’
The starting product is Bayderm Finish UP, an acrylic-based product that gives a matt top coat with a neutral surface touch. The gloss level can be progressively increased by adding the polyurethane/acrylic-based Bayderm Finish UP-G, while the addition of the Bayderm Finish UP-W polyurethane dispersion system provides a firmer, waxy surface touch. Polyurethane/acrylic-based Bayderm Finish UP-WG gives top coats with both a higher gloss and a warm, waxier surface touch. Verstegen is convinced that ‘these four products will enable our customers to adjust the gloss level and surface touch of upholstery leather as required, without the need for any further additives.’ Fewer components and uncomplicated formulation also help to simplify warehousing and cut storage costs. And there is less risk of mix-ups or inaccuracies in formulation, too.
All the components of the UP range are NMP-free and comply with current technical and regulatory requirements. They are simple to use, environment-friendly and have excellent compatibility and thus make an important contribution towards sustainable leather production.
An overview of the UP(holstery) range for upholstery leather is included in their ‘Furniture Leather’ brochure, available in Chinese, English and Italian, which can be obtained by sending an e-mail to leather@lanxess.com.
The Leather business unit is part of Lanxess’ Performance Chemicals segment, which posted sales of €2.13 billion in fiscal 2011.
