Cradle-to-Cradle accolade for Smit & zoon
24/01/2018
Smit & zoon brought the retanning agent, Syntan ZLR 100, to market in April 2017. The chrome-free, cationic retanning agent is based on the mineral zeolite. The Dutch leather chemicals manufacturer has explained that this ensures an increased affinity of anionic chemicals and “a high uptake of all retanning chemicals, fatliquors and dyes used in the crusting process” to ensure in turn “clean, bright and intense colours”.
According to Smit & zoon, use of the retanning agent also reduces the volume of chemicals needed in the retanning process and the volume of chemicals in a tannery’s wastewater, thus reducing the environmental footprint and saving costs.
“Demands on leather in terms of performance, production efficiency and sustainability are rising,” said Smit & zoon chief executive, Hans van Haarst, on announcing the new EPEA certification for the product. “In line with our corporate social responsibility ambitions, to play a role in making the leather value chain sustainable, we are constantly working to bring innovative, sustainable products to the market. Syntan ZLR 100 can support many tanneries in making their retanning process more sustainable. The Cradle to Cradle material health certificate underlines this.”
For his part, Pim Wilgenburg, strategy and new business developer at the leather chemicals manufacturer, commented: “Syntan ZLR 100 has been well received by our customers all over the world. With this product, we are also supporting some global fashion and automotive brands in making leather articles with an increased uptake and low environmental footprint.”
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