#Textile chemistry

2019-03-11

Water-based, waterproof and water-vapor permeable

Outdoor clothing is designed to keep joggers and hikers dry when it's raining, but also to allow water vapor from sweat to escape to the outside air. More and more buyers are also looking for outdoor textiles that are sustainable.

NSQIN® technology: sustainable coating for outdoor textiles

All three of these requirements are met by INSQIN® technology, which stands for water-based textile coatings that don’t use any solvents. At the European Coatings Show 2019 from March 19–21, Covestro will present outdoor clothing that owes its functional properties to this coating technology at its “City of Sustainnovation” in hall 4A, booth number 528.

Two layers are responsible for giving the outdoor clothing on display its soft, comfortable feel: an adhesive coating, which is based on the polyurethane (PU) dispersion Impraperm® DL 5310, and a surface coating, which is based on the PU dispersion Impraperm® DL 5249. Covestro has been offering its customers both products for a few months.

One square meter of fabric coated with the INSQIN® system allows more than five kilograms of water vapor to escape per day. Both layers contribute to the excellent breathability. On the other hand, layered garments can withstand a water column of more than eight meters during testing. The water column is a measurement of how water-resistant a functional textile fabric is: when the measurement is carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 811, the outer side of the textile fabric is exposed to liquid. The water pressure is then steadily increased – until the third drop is seen on the inner side. The effective pressure at this point is then specified in millimeters of water column.

Highly versatile – not just for textiles

“It is quite easy to customize the breathability and water resistance of the coating to the intended purpose and function of the textile fabric,” says Thomas Michaelis of Covestro. The head of Textile Coatings for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America (EMEA/LA) region adds: “Tailor-made properties can be achieved by varying the formulation and coating thicknesses.” Due to the many configuration possibilities of the INSQIN® system, its use is not limited to just garments. Owners of backpacks, shoes and gloves also benefit from it.

At the European Coatings Show 2019 and Techtextil 2019, Covestro will showcase a new solution for breathable yet waterproof outdoor textiles based on its INSQIN® technology. The coatings are purely water-based (c) 2019 Covestro

Water-based coatings with Impraperm® DL 5310 and Impraperm® DL 5249 provide garments with good, uniform breathability over the entire surface. This is a clear advantage over other technologies for outdoor clothing, in which membrane films are spot-bonded with the textile fabric. Adhesives are usually not breathable, which means that no water vapor can escape at the adhesive points. However, water-based Impraperm® dispersions not only offer an alternative to this membrane technology, but can also be used to improve them: when used as an adhesive, they guarantee permeability for water vapor at the adhesive points.

Covestro to exhibit solutions for a more sustainable and productive textile industry at Techtextil 2026

Covestro will present a broad portfolio of material innovations for textile coatings, adhesive films and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) at Techtextil 2026 (Hall 11.0, Booth C79). The exhibits will demonstrate how advanced solutions can enhance durability, recyclability and manufacturing efficiency across applications such as automotive, infrastructure, protective apparel and sportswear. A particular focus will be on more sustainable coating technologies, including antimicrobial systems based on INSQIN® in combination with AGXX from Heraeus Precious Metals, as well as the integration of Pontacol® thermoplastic adhesive films into Covestro’s offering.

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.

Archroma expands denim possibilities at Kingpins Amsterdam

Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, will present a portfolio of six sustainable denim innovations at Kingpins Amsterdam from April 15-16, 2026. Under the theme “Creating Possibilities in Denim”, the showcase reflects Archroma’s commitment to giving brands and mills solutions that are as commercially compelling as they are environmentally responsible.

A flagship for chemical production: BASF inaugurates world-scale Verbund site in China

BASF today (March 26, 2026) celebrated the official inauguration of its newly built, world-scale Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in southern China. Covering an area of around four square kilometers, it is more than a major BASF project in the chemical growth market of China. “Zhanjiang shows what the future of chemistry looks like: efficient, digital and sustainable by design. The site showcases a smart integrated Verbund structure on an industrial scale,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, CEO of BASF, at the ceremony attended by representatives from government, customers, business partners and employees.

New study shows low environmental impact by Cotton made in Africa Organic Cotton from Tanzania

Today, the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF) is announcing the results of a comprehensive life-cycle analysis (LCA) for cotton produced in Tanzania under the Cotton made in Africa Organic (CmiA Organic) standard. The study emphasises the small ecological footprint of CmiA Organic verified cotton. This can largely be traced back to the absence of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, and artificial irrigation. Consequently, CmiA Organic cotton can help the textile industry meet regulatory requirements as well as science-based targets. The results also show that the consequences of climate change threaten the livelihoods of these cotton farmers, even though the type of agriculture they practise barely contributes to climate change.

PERFORMANCE DAYS proves its relevance as the industry’s key meeting point

Held on March 18–19, 2026, PERFORMANCE DAYS once again confirmed its position as a leading international platform for functional textiles. A total of 3.366 trade visitors and around 560 exhibitors gathered in Munich, with the event already kicking off successfully on DAY 0, which received highly positive feedback for its interactive format. Despite challenging conditions caused by the public transport strike in Munich, the event saw strong attendance and a consistently high level of activity across both exhibition days.