After the inclusion of NMP (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone) as an SVHC candidate (Substances of Very High Concern) in 2011, the European Commission issued a restriction on the sale of chemical products containing NMP in May of this year and also announced a restriction on the use of NMP in consumer products in the coming fall.
Now, many leather manufacturers need to make it transparent how they produce leather items without this substance. The specialty chemicals company LANXESS provides the industry with suitable alternatives without the need to make any compromises with regard to the quality of the finished leather.
Dr Martin Kleban, HSEQ representative in the Leather business unit at LANXESS: “We extensively removed NMP from the leather chemicals in our product range a long time ago. By developing suitable alternatives, we offer a range of over 30 NMP-free binders for finishing and enable our customers to operate consistently without the use of NMP. We have been offering solutions in accordance with the REACH regulation for many years.”
NMP was traditionally used in industry for the production of polyurethane coatings as a co-solvent, in order to improve the adhesion and penetration of the intermediate layer.
Sustainable leather production
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the leather industry. As part of its “Sustainable Leather Management” programme, LANXESS therefore based its range of chemical products for leather production around the concept of sustainability. Modern, future-oriented leather production must reconcile economic interests, environmental compatibility, and consumer benefits. Achieving this balance is the fundamental principle of the LANXESS initiative “Sustainable Leather Management”. The leather business unit provides its customers with innovative technologies and products throughout the entire value chain in order to support the production of high-quality, sustainable, and environmentally friendly leather.
For detailed information about the “Sustainable Leather Management” program and about LANXESS products and services for the leather industry, please visit www.leather.lanxess.com.
