New Lanxess range of retanning agents can help make leather biodegradable
28/07/2014
Among the sustainable solutions the company will present in Shanghai will be Levotan X-Biomer technology, providing what it refers to as “a new class and range of genuine retanning agents that effectively uses biopolymers for a more sustainable production of high-quality leather”.
As an alternative to synthetic retanning agents, the patent-pending Levotan X-Biomer range includes a complete portfolio for all key steps of the retanning process, Lanxess has said. The chemistry behind it however, is completely different. All products are based on biodegradable polymers, which are produced from renewable raw materials and specifically “functionalised” for retanning applications in a biologically engineered process. Thus, the Levotan X-Biomer technology enables the production of wet blue that fulfills even the highest technical requirements, such as for automotive leather or children’s footwear.
Tanners will benefit from what the company calls “a significantly improved sustainability profile” compared to those using traditional retanning agents. Due to the amphoteric character of the X-Biomer products, which contain both positive and negative charges, a good fixation and exhaustion can be achieved. Compared to traditional retanning polymers the chemical oxygen demand (COD) is up to 30% lower.
X-Biomer retanning agents also offer high levels of biodegradability, confirmed by an independent testing laboratory, which has classified two X-Biomer products as “readily biodegradable”. This is based on organic components that can be degraded by microorganisms during effluent treatment.
Also on display in Shanghai will be a new water-based pigment range, Aquaderm X-Pigments, for leather finishing. This range has been developed for all kinds of premium leather applications where a very high standard of finishing quality is required, Lanxess has said, again giving the automotive segment as an example. High levels of light fastness, heat and migration resistance, brilliancy and exact dosing properties can be achieved with these pigments, according to the company.
All Aquaderm X-Pigments products are casein-free and do not contain any emulsifiers, brightening agents or other additives capable of causing migration. According to current RSL, REACH and GDSL obligations, the Aquaderm X-Pigments meet all important criteria which means they are free of VOC, heavy metals, chrome VI, formaldehyde and phthalate, the company has said.
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