Upgrading technology

Clariant have unveiled their new Melio proGrade System said to take leather finishing to a new level. The system is described as a new, efficient upgrading technology for profitable leather articles with a high sales appeal. The system can be used for various types of leather articles, especially for high tech leathers such as automotive leather, sports shoe leathers, highly resistant splits, corrected grain upholstery leathers etc. The Melio proGrade System is said to mask nearly all kinds of defects, making it possible to use lower crust selections for the production of high quality articles because of an increase in yield in the cutting process. The system also results in an excellent print definition, without cutting through. Processing costs are said to be similar or, in many cases, even lower than conventional systems. Melio proGrade is a compact system. In the base coat, in most cases only one product and pigment are needed. Application possibilities/amounts: Airless/Airmix system 80-140g/m² Reverse rollcoater 80-120g/m² Synchron rollcoater 30-60g/m² Melio proGrade C-01 is a medium hard formulated binder, based on a modified polyurethane dispersion. C-01 was specially developed for automotive leather finishes. It is suitable for full grain or buffed car upholstery as well as for high performance splits. Through its high degree of fastness, the final article can be used for European as well as for American leather types. Melio proGrade C-01 shows the following relevant properties: * Superior upgrading power * Extremely high fastness properties, outstanding abrasion resistance * Best print retention * Very high consistency * High cutting yields * Simple and rational handling Application examples: Automotive leather, corrected grain. Melio proGrade base coat: 150 parts Neosan 2000 pigments 750 parts Melio proGrade C-01 100 parts water Melio proGrade C-01 * Spray 1 x airless or airmix * Viscosity 50 seconds/FC4 * Quantity 120g/m² * Leave overnight * Emboss, 100°C, 3 seconds, 250 bar * Apply Aqualen top coat, mill, stake Melio proGrade C-02 is a medium soft formulated binder based on a modified acrylic dispersion, specially developed for shoe and furniture leather. It is preferably used for buffed upholstery, sports shoe leather, shoe upper splits and corrected grain shoe upper leather. Melio proGrade C-02 shows the following relevant properties: * Superior upgrading power * High fastness properties * Best print retention * Simple and rational handling * Excellent softness Application examples: Upholstery leather, corrected grain. Melio proGrade base coat: 150 parts Neosan 2000 pigments 650 parts Melio proGrade C-02 50 parts water Melio proGrade C-02 * Spray 1 x airless or airmix * Viscosity 50 seconds/FC4 * Quantity 100g/m² * Leave overnight * Emboss, mill, spray 1 x HVLP 35 minutes FC4, 30g/m² * Apply Aqualen top coat, mill.