#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

2016-10-12

Covestro makes new breakthroughs in sustainable textile coatings

Covestro presents breakthroughs in its INSQIN® waterborne polyurethane (PU) technology at K 2016 in Germany, the world’s largest plastics trade fair. A new process technology for the production of PU synthetic base material combined with new products in the Impranil® range enables significant reduction in manufacturing cost of PU textiles and a broader range of fashionable material effects.

INSQIN® enables wider application scope and reduction in manufacturing costs

In accordance with an increasing demand for sustainable textile materials, INSQIN® waterborne polyurethane technology enables an entirely new level of material sustainability for PU-coated fabrics, key materials for apparel and footwear, furniture and diverse other industries. By enabling solvent-free material manufacturing processes, the technology brings significant improvement to worker safety, eliminates risks of environmental pollution and drastically reduces the consumption of water and energy.

More flexible production PU base materials are essential intermediates in the manufacture of many PU synthetic textile materials, particularly those used in the fashion industry, since they permit a very high level of production flexibility that is of critical importance in this industry. The new technology developed using INSQIN® shows the same high performance, especially softness, of materials manufactured using solvent-based products.

Furthermore, it can be embossed directly, bringing about a significant reduction in manufacturing costs and permitting manufacturers to bring an enormous range of surface effects to the material, another key success factor in the fashion industry. Manufacturers can adopt this new achievement utilizing existing production lines, without need for a major investment.

“We are particularly proud of this new breakthrough in the technology for base material manufacture”, says Nick Smith, Global Head of Textile Coatings. “It will further increase the appeal of our waterborne PU material to the textiles industry, that is searching for sustainable materials. It is a wonderful example of a combined development of both new products and textile coating application technology, that we carried out in close concert with key customers.”

Broadening the application of waterborne PU textiles Covestro has also launched new PU dispersions that further broaden the application possibilities of waterborne PU. The new products focus on both the creation of new material effects and on new performance levels.

Newly launched Impranil® CIL enables the production of fine nubuck material, a popular material effect that until now has posed a significant challenge for waterborne chemistry. Similarly, Impranil® DLI is a new PU dispersion designed for excellent wrinkle or fold recovery in the coated material. This is an important performance criterion in some applications, for example garment. The new materials are under trial with top brand owners in the industry.

Pic: The new Impranil® eco range of waterborne, bio-based polyurethane dispersions of Covestro has a renewable content of up to 65 percent.

Next leap in sustainability Covestro has developed a range of waterborne, bio-based polyurethane dispersions. With a renewable content that reaches as high as 65 percent, Impranil® eco contributes to a further reduction of CO₂ emissions, thus further improving the sustainability of waterborne PU. The first products in the series have been designed for applications in fashion apparel, accessory and footwear, and more products are being developed for other uses.

Visit Covestro at the K 2016 plastics trade fair from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf, Germany, Hall 6, Stand A 75.

Covestro showcases monomaterial concept in autonomous SUE People Mover

UE | STUDIOS has unveiled the fully autonomous electric minibus “Self-driving Urban E-Shuttle” (SUE), placing strong emphasis on sustainable material design. Developed within a project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and the European Union, the vehicle will begin public road testing this year. At the core of the concept is the consistent use of recyclable monomaterials to improve circularity at end of life.

Covestro and Heraeus Precious Metals collaborate to enable safer, more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings

Laboratory tests reveal that AGXX antimicrobial surface technology from Heraeus Precious Metals is fully compatible with Impranil® PU dispersions which are part of the waterborne INSQIN® textile coating technology from Covestro, paving the way for more sustainable antimicrobial textile coatings. This discovery comes at a key moment for the textile coatings industry. As the sharing economy continues to grow, more people are coming into regular contact with high-use surfaces, creating ideal conditions for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive.

Covestro celebrates decade of innovation and sustainable growth

Covestro celebrates its 10-year anniversary today. Since its carve-out from Bayer in 2015, the company has developed into a global leader in high-performance polymer materials and a pioneer in circular economy solutions. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Covestro’s materials are now embedded in countless applications worldwide – from mobility and construction to electronics, healthcare, and consumer goods.

Smart sensors, smart savings - Reducing energy and cost in textile finishing

As energy prices, sustainability requirements and quality expectations continue to rise, manufacturers of technical textiles face increasing pressure to optimize efficiency while ensuring process reliability. At the same time, skilled labor shortages require production systems that are intuitive, automated and easy to manage. PLEVA addresses these challenges with robust, maintenance-friendly sensor technologies combined with intelligent process control.

BW Converting expands Southeast Asian presence with new agency partnerships in Vietnam and Indonesia

BW Converting is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia through new agency partnerships in Vietnam and Indonesia, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting textile manufacturers across the region. The expansion comes as BW Converting prepares to exhibit at SaigonTex 2026 (April 8–11, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) and INDO INTERTEX 2026 (April 15–18, Jakarta International Expo, Indonesia).

Gebr. Otto highlights versatility at Techtextil with regional supply chains, yarn innovations and new hygiene segment

At this year’s Techtextil, Gebr. Otto places its versatility at the center of its presentation. In addition to spinning, twisting and dyeing – traditionally focused on fine cotton – textile processors will also find a competent development partner for technical specialty solutions. The Dietenheim-based spinning mill has now built up a decade of experience in the production of technical yarns, particularly from aramids. A new hygiene segment has also been established, where yarns for medical and hygiene products are currently being produced. In the future, this department could also develop textile products for the food sector. Gebr. Otto will once again be present at the BW-i joint stand, booth D81, hall 12.1. What is wound onto the spool is determined by the customer: Gebr. Otto develops according to specific customer requirements and transforms its own ideas into yarn innovations.

Commission presents proposal for EU Inc. - unlocking the full potential of the Single Market for Europe's entrepreneurs

Today, the European Commission presented its proposal for EU Inc., a new single set of corporate rules, building the cornerstone and starting point for the EU's 28th regime. EU Inc. is an optional, digital-by-default European corporate framework. It will make it easier for businesses to start, operate and grow across the EU – incentivising them to stay in Europe, and encourage those who once looked elsewhere to return.

OnceMore® from Södra brings end-to-end traceability for circular Man-made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) using TextileGenesis

OnceMore® from Södra, the world’s first large-scale process for recycling blended fabrics into high‐quality dissolving pulp, will begin using TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to strengthen traceability from raw material to retail across the value chain. OnceMore® produces dissolving pulp made from blended textile waste and wood sourced from responsibly managed Swedish forests. By integrating TextileGenesis, OnceMore® supports the growing need for verified data and secure, transparent tracking throughout increasingly complex supply chain.

Experts publish APAC policy priorities

Cascale today announced the publication of its APAC Policy Priorities Paper, developed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Policy Member Expert Team (MET) to identify key regional sustainability challenges and provide practical, aligned recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders across Asia-Pacific.