(i) the plight of traditional oily PU leather
With the improvement of the quality of social and human life and the increasingly stringent environmental protection laws in China, environmental protection issues in China’s synthetic leather industry have received increasing attention. At present, many synthetic leather industries mainly use traditional oily polyurethane to make leather. This type of oily PU contains a large amount of organic solvents such as DMF (dimethylformamide) toluene, methylal, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, etc. These organic solvents have certain toxicity, most of which are volatile organic compounds (Volatile Organic compound VOC). In addition to the use of organic solvents, in addition to direct contact with occupational diseases, organic solvents emitted in the atmosphere under the action of ultraviolet rays produce a photochemical reaction, which will generate secondary pollutants such as ozone and aldehydes. In addition, the use of volatile organic compounds also puts forward higher requirements for fire prevention and explosion prevention during transportation, storage and use of related products.
(ii) the trend of international environmental protection
Today, many countries around the world have promulgated many VOC regulations and rules. In the synthetic leather industry, the latest environmental protection law was implemented in 2018, and environmental damage has risen to the criminal level. California ’s Proposition 65 limits VOCs to a total indoor air content of less than 0.5 mg / m3; the EU ’s Reach regulations are constantly updated, and SVHC currently has 193 highly concerned substances, including dimethylformamide (DMF), Toluene and other commonly used organic solvents; ZDHC “Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemical Substances” international organization combined with many internationally renowned brands, put forward the concept of “industrial chain environmental protection”, and formulated a “restricted substance list” in the production process and promised “2020 hazardous chemicals Zero Emissions of Substances (VOC) “; On October 27, 2017, the World Health Organization’s Cancer Research Agency identified DMF as a Class 2A carcinogen; recently, the European Union recognized DMFa and DMFu as special substances affecting fertility, in children’s products under the age of 16. Disabled. LV, GUCCI and other brands promise to abandon real leather from 2018 and use ecological synthetic leather. HM, ZARA and many other famous international brands have promised to purchase 40% of water-based synthetic leather in 2018 and achieve zero emissions of toxic substances by 2020.
With the deepening of social environmental protection concept, water-based PU leather has been paid more and more attention. Water-based leather is called “water-based polyurethane synthetic leather”, which uses water instead of organic solvents as the medium, does not contain harmful chemicals such as DMF, DOP, and has no pollution during the production process, zero (VOC) hazardous chemical emissions, and environmental protection.
(iii) Social responsibility
Water can carry boats, and they can also overturn boats. Only companies that have the courage to take on social responsibilities can be evergreen. Enterprises and employees, enterprises and society should be in harmony. Huai’an Kaiyue Technology Development Co., Ltd. is committed to the promotion of environmental protection and guarantees compliance with the ZDHC-MRSL list, REACH and all EU directives, as well as major national and international regulations. KAIYUE guarantees the processing under safest conditions to workers and environment.
(iv) Difficulties in recruitment
With the development of China’s economy and the improvement of people’s living standards, the problem of difficult recruitment for enterprises is becoming more and more serious. The health of the working environment affects the physical and mental health of employees. Therefore, environmentally-friendly enterprises can have sufficient attractiveness and sense of security for production lines that guarantee human health. And water-based PU leather was born in response to the requirements of the times and is a good product for the benefit of the people.
(i) excellent quality
Water-based PU leather is abrasion-resistant, tortuous, hydrolysis-resistant, strong breathable, no odor, safe and reliable, excellent mechanical properties, good compatibility. Gives the finished product a light and soft skin-friendly feel. Excellent abrasion and scratch resistance, making it the best alternative to traditional leather and solvent-based PU. And technology will continue to improve.
(ii) safety and environmental protection
The use of water-based leather does not need to bear the potential risk costs of fire and health hazards caused by the use of solvents.
In the past, oily PU was used with solvents as the medium. These solvents are flammable and explosive chemicals, which often become factors that endanger the safety of the company and the health of employees. Now using water-based leather, this risk is safely avoided. .
In addition, the use of water-based PU leather can also achieve “zero emissions” of hazardous chemicals. Because solvent-based PU is 80% volatile, it is very serious for air pollution. Using this water-based PU can save social resources, protect the environment, and protect the health of employees and consumers.
For the synthetic leather industry, green manufacturing is the general trend. Water-based PU leather has been used in many international famous brands, such as Stella McCartney, Zara, H & M, Nike, Adidas, etc.
Relevant experts believe that the use of environmentally-friendly water-based leather is of great significance both from the standpoint of green barriers to international trade and from the standpoint of innovation and harmonious society, care for employees, and environmental protection. Therefore, the use of environmentally friendly water-based leather can not only save resources and protect the environment, but also improve product quality. In the long run, what is even greater is conducive to corporate development and brand promotion.
