Two new synthetic leathers take to the market
Two new synthetic materials, both of which are claimed to closely emulate the look and feel of leather, have recently arrived in the international marketplace.
The first is Parcassio, "truly the first environmentally friendly leather" according to its Japanese manufacturer, the Kuraray group company, Clarino.
Jointly developed by Clarino and the Korean tannery, SamDuk Industrial Co. Limited, Parcassio’s multi-layered micro-fibre construction is said to be superior to leather in terms of its strength, uniform thickness and dimensional stability. Its surface treatment is made with a breathable thin coating of dye-able polyurethane film "that is acceptable for use in traditional leather tanning methods" says Clarino.
The 2002 collection of Parcassio will initially focus on the athletic sector with three key selections: a 1.2mm milled garment for traditional classics; a 1.3mm ‘kangaroo weight’ for performance soccer applications; and a 1.6mm tumbled comfort for basketball and cross training.
The second new synthetic, from the Dow Chemical Company, is aimed at the automotive marketplace. Dubbed ‘Fabric-Free Seating Technology’, the new material uses an elastomeric layer over moulded foam: the elastomer takes the place of conventional materials like fabric or leather as the "skin" of the upholstery, while the foam serves its traditional use as internal padding for comfort and durability. This single step technology is said to be suitable for the production of car seats, office furniture and even stadium seating, making the seats easier to wash and repair.
"This technology benefits the seating manufacturer by eliminating processing steps and provides consumers with seating products that maintain their durability even with long-term exposure to sunlight. It also provides benefit to the environment in terms of better recyclability," says David Fischer, global vice president of Dow's Polyurethanes business. As well as offering both the comfort and "breathability" of leather seats, by eliminating the use of fabric, leather or vinyl, manufacturers, the new technology will also significantly reduce the processing steps involved in producing seats and seating parts, Dow says.
