Issue 25/2013 - LANXESS presents innovative sustainable leather solutions – the new X-Lite process and the U-Tec G biocides

LANXESS presents innovative sustainable leather solutions – the new X-Lite process and U-Tec G biocides

Lanxess has recently launched innovative sustainable leather solutions
including the new X-Lite process and U-Tec G fungicides.

The X-Lite process consists of three parts: the product, the improved retanning process and the expander
manufactured in cooperation with Italian machine builder Fratelli CARLESSI SpA.
This process "fills" the thinned grain leather during the retanning process, increasing its thickness by up to 20% for optimal use of the grain leather
.
The X-Lite process has a good structural stability and therefore superior performance, especially to reduce undesirable bumps in the production of seat leather goods
.
The microcapsule treatment process does not affect
the water permeability and water absorption of leather.

This new process for the efficient production of lightweight, high-quality leather enables thinner-grain layers to be turned into high-grade leather products with significantly lower area weight, but meets thickness requirements and meets key requirements
for automotive and aircraft manufacturers.

As part of its sustainable leather management program, LANXESS has also recently launched a biocide called Multi-U-Tec G to prevent microbial infections
in leather.
The product has long-lasting protection against various leather-eroding fungi and bacteria, excellent ecological and toxicological properties, and this high-concentration, eutectic technology produces a liquid product in relatively small quantities, helping to reduce transportation and storage costs
.

The multi-U-Tec G formula combines complementary active ingredients o-phenylphenol (OPP, 2-hydroxybiphenyl), p-chlorom-cresol (PCMC) and octylisothiazolinone (OIT).

At low concentrations required for the application, the main active ingredients OPP and PCMC can be quickly and easily degraded
in wastewater biological treatment plants.
Its special mechanism of action is that it does not react chemically with fungal cells, which can irreversibly damage
the cell membrane of bacterial cells.
After that, the active ingredient is released again, which is not depleted in the process of functioning, but can be continuously "regenerated" to protect the leather
continuously and efficiently.
In addition, it binds to collagen fibers through hydrogen bonds, thus staying in the
leather for a long time.
The use of the right amount of the right antimicrobial agent at the right stage of the process helps to reduce the growth of microorganisms in leather later in life
.
(Jiang Xiaoqing)